In a significant development, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has announced his decision not to honour an invitation from the House of Representatives Committee, scheduled for Thursday, May 8. This announcement was made by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi. The House had invited the Governors of Benue and Zamfara, along with their Assembly leadership, to appear before the committee.
According to Mr. Kula, the invitation is deemed unconstitutional, and therefore, Governor Alia will not comply with it. The governor has taken a proactive step by filing a case at the Supreme Court to challenge the lawmakers’ invitation. Additionally, the Benue Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting the invitation, citing it as based on ignorance. They have also decided to challenge it in court, as stated by Mr. Kula.
The situation has become more complex, with Mr. Kula claiming that a civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered. He pointed out that the address on the group’s letterhead is fake, which raises concerns about the credibility of the petition. Furthermore, Mr. Kula accused the organisers of the protests of trying to destabilise Benue through a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests.
In recent weeks, protests have been held in Abuja, allegedly representing the concerns of the Benue people. However, Mr. Kula believes these protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light. He claimed that the ultimate goal of the organisers is to create chaos for selfish political gain. Mr. Kula assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively, with Governor Alia committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges.
The decision by Governor Alia not to honour the invitation has significant implications, and the situation is being closely monitored. With the matter now in court, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however – the people of Benue stand firmly behind their governor, and any attempts to undermine progress will be met with resistance. As the situation continues to develop, it is essential to stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments.
