- It’s The height Of Rascality – Alia’s Spokesperson Replies
By Amos Aar
THE CRACKS within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken a dramatic turn, with Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), laying out tough conditions for reconciliation with the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, his alleged estranged protégé.
Senator Akume made his position public at the burial ceremony of Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongu, elder statesman and politician who passed away in November 2022 but was buried recently on November 30, 2024.
In a speech laden with veiled warnings and political undertones, the SGF urged Alia to distance himself from key political figures, including Senator Barnabas Gemade, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Senator Joseph Akaagerger, and Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Jime.
Akume alleged that these individuals neither supported Alia’s campaign nor shared his vision but have now surrounded the governor for personal gains and to undermine his administration.
Akume, who allegedly played a pivotal role in Alia’s emergence as governor, expressed disappointment in what he perceives as the governor’s deviation from the values of his former life as a Catholic priest.
“Fr. Alia I knew is different from Fr. Alia of today. He knows it too,” Akume said in a video that has since gone viral on Facebook.
Labelling Gemade and others as “cheerleaders” and “boys, insinuating they lack the governor’s best interests at heart, Akume further stated: “But cheerleaders have tied him and taken him away. Father, retrace your footsteps. Father, we worked for you. Let those cheerleaders not deceive you; they will run away and leave you, but our people will never leave you.”
Despite the charged speech, Akume and Alia shared a brief moment of camaraderie on the podium, hugging and smiling as Akume reintroduced Alia to the people of Benue in line with the late Paul Unongu’s vision of unity.
It’s the height of rascality
Although Governor Alia remained composed during the event, clapping and laughing along with Akume’s remarks, his response came a day later through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula.
While not directly mentioning mentioning names, Kula, in his statement, was clearly responding to Senator Akume, stating that it is the height of rascality to disregard “firmly established conventions and protocols that guide our interactions and engagements.”
Stressing the need for unity and respect for the governor’s office, Kula stated: “There is a time for everything, including respect for the office of the governor. Instead of encouraging divisiveness, we should be striving for unity and togetherness.”
Kula accused Akume of attempting to undermine the governor’s office and called on stakeholders to prioritise the collective good of Benue State over personal grievances.
The statement, entitled: “Undermining Gov. Alia Undermines the Very Principles of Good Governance,” dated Sunday, December 1st, 2024, reads in full:
“Benue, a state in the north central Nigeria has gone through political leadership trauma before fortune smiles on the state to presently, have a leader of remarkable maturity and grace.
“There are incontrovertible records indicating that Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has taken governance in Benue to the next level.
“For instance, he is developing the state wholly by aggressively building and reconstructing infrastructure. He is perfectly investing in human resource development; positively attending to security of life and properties, daily enhancing the welfare of the workforce. His conscious approaches to boosting agriculture to enhance and build sustainable food security, among others, are unprecedented.
“Above all, the Governor has consistently exemplified what it means to lead with dignity, especially in the face of calculated unprovoked attacks from certain quarters.
“Therefore, it is distressing to observe individuals, who should know better, continually seeking to undermine his authority and the stability of our governance.
“Governor Alia is not just a leader; he is a leader in the greatest degree. This was particularly evident during the burial ceremony of the late Paul Unongo in Kendev-Unongo village, where his respect for tradition and protocol shone through.
“Such moments reveal the essence of true leadership, understanding the importance of community, respect, and the solemnity of the occasion.
“Moreover, it should be noted that Fr. Alia is not the first Governor of Benue state. There were governors before Alia, and there can only be one sitting governor at a time. It is crucial to recognize the legitimacy of his position and the responsibilities it entails.
“The persistent efforts to undermine him, whether directly or through proxies, are not only unbecoming but also detrimental to the progress of our state.
“It is a well-known fact that in leadership and governance, there are firmly established conventions and protocols that guide our interactions and engagements. To disregard these principles is to, if we must put it pleasantly, the height of rascality.
“Once more, it is rather disappointing to see those who are supposedly versed in these protocols turn around and consciously disregard them, all to cast dark clouds over the reputation of a sitting leader. This behavior erodes respect for our institutions and sets a dangerous precedent for future governance.
“There is a time for everything, including respect for the office of the governor. Instead of encouraging divisiveness, we should be striving for unity and togetherness. Governor Alia needs all the support, prayers, and encouragement as he works tirelessly for the betterment of Benue State. The time has come for us to rise above primordial acrimony and embrace a spirit of cooperation that benefits all citizens.
“Finally, it is more beneficial if we unite to uphold the dignity of our leadership and ensure that the spirit of governance in Benue State remains strong and unyielding. It is our communal responsibility to promote an environment of respect and support for those who serve us.”
