The Benue State Government has described as unfortunate and highly misleading remarks made by the member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal constituency Dickson Tarkighir during his appearance on Channels Television earlier Saturday saying he twisted facts about Governor Alia’s handling of security in the State.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Tersoo Kula said the Government would have ordinarily ignored the outburst, considering it as one of those reckless political posturings, but given the sensitivity of the issues he raised, and particularly regarding the security and welfare of the people, it became imperative to correct the dangerous falsehoods he peddled on national television.
Kula recalled that Tarkighir falsely claimed that Governor Hyacinth Alia has refused to provide logistics to security agencies and personnels combating armed herdsmen across the state.
He further argued that Governor Alia’s administration, in less than two years, has distributed over 600 motorbikes and 100 Hilux trucks to various security formations across the state, a record unmatched in the history of Benue.
Adding that each of the 23 local government areas received at least two Hilux vehicles and 20 motorbikes, with additional support to the Nigeria Police in all divisions.
Which according to Kulas is a clear commitment to empowering security operations, not the neglect as alleged by the Representative on Channels TV.
The State Government again said that Tarkighir misrepresented history by suggesting that the previous administration under Governor Samuel Ortom had curtailed the herders attacks more effectively.
A claim Kula insist is factually incorrect as under Ortom’s watch and by his own admission, Benue State recorded the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in its history, with over 4million people displaced from their ancestral homes maintaining that the figure deepens the failure of reactive rhetoric without strategic support for security architecture.
‘In contrast, despite fresh waves of terrorism, Governor Alia’s pragmatic interventions and collaborations have seen that number drop to less than 1.5 million today.
Even with the resurgence of violence, the state has not returned to the alarming figures recorded during Ortom’s era.”He added
The CPS therefore found it absurd and disappointing that Tarkighir is making a subtle call on Governor Alia to adopt the same security tactics deployed by the past administration, which unfortunately, escalated the IDP crisis in the State.
Kula also wondered if Tarkighir is genuinely interested in the restoration of peace in the state or merely playing partisan politics with the lives of the people he was elected to represent.
The Governor’s spokeman noted that if there is any talk about the politicization of security situation in Benue state or the aiding and abetting of enemies of the state, Tarkighir’s name cannot be overlooked.
“Not long ago, this same individual was spotted, almost at midnight, trailing hundreds of cattle through the heart of Makurdi town an act that not only defaced the environment but also lent credence to the promoters of falsehood and rumours.
These rumour-mongers took to various platforms, alleging that cattle were freely roaming across the entire town. At the time, the source of the cattle was unknown.
However, it was later discovered that the animals were being kept on a disputed piece of land, raising even more questions than answers about their origin and the intention behind their movement.
Again, it is unpardonable for a lawmaker of Tarkighir’s ranking to feign gnorance of Constitutional Powers. Tarkighir is quite aware that under Nigeria’s federal structure, state governors do not command federal security agencies, including the military. “The Statement added
The CPS insists that the representative’s attempt to portray the Governor as negligent for not directing federal troops betrays either a fundamental misunderstanding of the Nigerian constitution or a deliberate effort to mislead the public.
He said the Makurdi/Guma representative must be told that the Benue people deserve honest representation and constructive engagements, and not reckless propaganda or desperate politicization of security matters.
Kula advised Tarkighir to rise above political bitterness and join hands with the state government to find lasting solutions to insecurity, rather than exploit the suffering of his constituents for cheap political capital.
According to Kula ,Governor Alia has not only demonstrated empathy and commitment but has backed it with action, sacrifice, and unprecedented logistics support. Let the truth be told, and let politics give way for patriotism.
