THE UNITED Actions for Democracy (UAD) has demanded the immediate resignation of Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the recent massacre of over 200 citizens in Guma and other communities in Benue State.
In a strongly worded press statement on Monday, signed by Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, General Secretary, and Barrister Gabriel Ojumah, Convener, the UAD condemned the killings as “horrible” and criticized the government’s response as inadequate and insensitive.
The group expressed dismay over Governor Alia’s reaction to protests by youths on Saturday, accusing him of being “irresponsible” as the Chief Security Officer of the state but suddenly displaying authority when citizens demonstrated against the violence.
The UAD further alleged that Governor Alia downplayed the death toll in a phone conversation with President Tinubu, claiming only 50 people were killed.
The organization also criticized the president for not treating the incident as a national emergency, noting that his planned visit to Benue on Wednesday — five days after the attack — demonstrates a lack of urgency.
“The delayed response and dismissive attitude of both leaders show they do not value the lives of Nigerians,” the statement read, adding: “Governor Alia and President Tinubu have failed the people of Benue and Nigeria at large. They must resign immediately.”
The UAD accused the ruling class of having vested interests in Benue’s agricultural and mineral resources, suggesting that the prolonged insecurity serves their economic and political gains.
The group also condemned what it described as the government’s tendency to suppress civil protests while being lenient toward terrorists.
“We call on the people of Benue and all Nigerians to rise and demand accountability from these failed leaders,” the statement concluded.
