Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Benue indegenes yesterday took to their various social media pages to attack a Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN for calling on President Bola Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in the state as a result of the ongoing killings by Fulani herders in some parts of the State..
Recall that Hon had yesterday written a very lengthy letter to President Bola Tinubu where he accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of not doing anything about insecurity in Benue state.
Hon however called on the President to declare a full military state of emergency in the state as a way to curb the killings.
Meanwhile, Benue people on their various social media pages accused Hon of acting a script given to him by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume so that Governor Hyacinth Alia could be removed from office.
Some analysts however said that what Hon was asking the president to do wasn’t to remove the governor but just to deploy soldiers to take over the security of the State but, some commentators stated on the social media that there is no way what Sebastine Hon asked for could be implemented without the removal of the governor..
Meanwhile, Benue Socio-Political Network, BSN has condemned the letter which Hon wrote to President Bola Tinubu, stressing that such is enough to eradicate the unity which Benue people have enjoyed in the past.
In a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Chief John Argezua, the group said:
“We have received with deep concern the call by Mr. Sebastian Hon for a state of emergency in Benue State. Let it be made abundantly clear that the situation in our dear state doesn’t warrant such an undemocratic measure since insecurity happens everywhere in the country.
“No meaningful, peace-loving, or well-intentioned individual would call for a state of emergency in Benue at this time. Such a call is not only premature, it is provocative, unnecessary, and deeply unpatriotic. Benue State, like many others in Nigeria, is navigating complex security issues—but the solution lies in cooperation, not confrontation; in partnership, not panic.
“We firmly reject any attempt to use the current situation as a political tool to destabilize the state or discredit the present administration under the capable leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia. Our people have endured enough hardship. What is needed now is not alarmist rhetoric, but immediate collective effort to support peacebuilding, good governance, and sustained development and security strengthen
“We call on all well-meaning Benue sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, to come together in unity, putting politics aside for the sake of our future. We also appeal to the federal government and security agencies to continue partnering with the state government to strengthen peace and security without undermining democratic institutions.
“Above all, we call on God Almighty to intervene in the affairs of Benue State. We pray for divine wisdom for our leaders, peace in our communities, and healing for all those affected by violence or instability. Benue belongs to all of us, and it is our shared duty to protect and preserve her’