By Amos Aar
THE CHIEF Press Secretary (CPS) to Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula, has dismissed Tuesday’s protest in Abuja by the Save Benue and Zamfara Coalition as a politically motivated attempt to undermine Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the Government House in Makurdi, Kula described the demonstration — which called for the National Assembly to take over the Benue and Zamfara states Houses of Assembly — as a sponsored plot by the governor’s opponents to destabilize the state.
He expressed confidence that such efforts would fail, emphasizing that Benue residents remain united in support of Governor Alia, who has recorded significant achievements within two years in office.
The protesters had claimed that both state assemblies were unable to perform their constitutional roles due to internal crises and alleged executive interference.
However, Kula rejected the allegations, labelling the protest a “campaign of misinformation” aimed at settling personal scores and pushing a malicious agenda.
According to him, the demonstration was part of a wider scheme to pressure President Bola Tinubu into declaring a state of emergency in Benue.
He insisted that the protest did not reflect genuine public concern but was instead orchestrated by disgruntled elements seeking to tarnish the state’s image and disrupt its progress.
Kula also condemned the involvement of an unregistered group that allegedly paraded individuals impersonating lawyers, including some with criminal convictions.
He called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate and sanction those responsible for professional misconduct.
Reaffirming the stability of governance in Benue, the CPS stated that all arms of government are functioning independently and effectively.
He assured residents that Governor Alia remains committed to addressing security challenges, particularly attacks by armed herders, to safeguard lives and property.
Kula urged the people of Benue to remain vigilant against misleading narratives and called on the media to avoid amplifying falsehoods intended to create division. “The government will not be distracted by the antics of desperate politicians seeking to return the state to its dark past,” he declared.