Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has raised an alarm over what he claims to be a deliberate and desperate attempt by certain individuals to destabilise the state and force him out of office.
In a press briefing held in Makurdi on Wednesday, his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, stated that the governor believes a coordinated campaign of misinformation accompanied by sponsored protests and demonstrations is being orchestrated to undermine his administration.
“These protests are not genuine expressions of public dissatisfaction,” the governor stated.
“They are deliberately engineered by disgruntled individuals aiming to manipulate the public and provoke instability.”
He alleged that the campaigners’ ultimate aim is to stir enough unrest to compel Bola Tinubu to impose a state of emergency in Benue State.
He characterised the effort as a desperate scheme by opponents of reform and progress, intent on dragging the state back to a “discredited status quo.”
The governor also accused the alleged plotters of misusing the legal profession, pointing to cases of ex-convicts posing as legal experts, unregistered groups submitting petitions riddled with “lies and offensive accusations,” and individuals impersonating lawyers during press briefings.
He urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate these actions and hold the culprits accountable.
“These efforts are nothing more than a personal vendetta driven by selfish interests,” he said. “But they will not succeed. The people of Benue are aware of these tactics and remain firmly behind their governor.”
Governor Alia assured citizens that Benue State remains secure, the government is stable, and legislative functions continue uninterrupted.
He reiterated his dedication to enhancing security across the state, with a strong focus on addressing threats posed by armed herders.
“Benue is making significant progress. We are addressing our challenges head-on, and no amount of sabotage will derail the transformation agenda of this administration,” he added.
