Ordinarily, we would have excused and ignored Ortom with his resurrected vicious propaganda against the Governor, especially that ''you cannot give what you don't have," but there is a compelling need to respond and put the records straight for the unsuspecting public.
For a start, Governor Alia has never said there is absolute peace in Benue state. He has been consistent that relative peace has returned in the State under his watch. And it is important for Mr. Ortom and his co-travellers to understand the distinction between “relative peace” and “absolute peace.” While absolute peace may be unattainable, especially as it entails the state or country been completely free of security challenges, the relative peace currently being experienced in Benue is significant.
It is a testament of fact that the state has witnessed a marked reduction in violence compared to previous years. Observable facts support the assertion that the spate of killings and attacks on local communities have drastically decreased. Under Governor Alia, daily mass killings have significantly diminished, allowing residents to feel safer in their communities.
People whom hitherto could not access their ancestral homes, now go there to farm. Some have even returned and settled back home. Markets that were once closed because of insecurity are now thriving again.
In Guma LGA where Samuel Ortom hails from, local markets like Kaseyo, Ortese, Gbajimba, Daudu etc. have reopened, showcasing a resurgence in commerce and a return to normalcy. This economic revival is a testament to improved security and governmental effectiveness.
Gov. Alia has effectively reduced the number of IDPs in the state. And while his predecessor claimed there were four million IDPs, recent profiling shows fewer than one million remain in camps. This exodus from IDP camps shows that many families have returned to their ancestral homes, further signifying a return to stability.
The resurgence of agricultural activities in Mbagwen and Isherev districts in Makurdi and surrounding areas underscores the positive impact of the current administration’s efforts to restore peace and confidence.
While there are still security challenges in parts of the state, Governor Alia is actively working to address these issues. His approach is constructive and focused on problem-solving rather than engaging in political grandstanding or fearmongering. Unlike Samuel Ortom, Governor Alia does not have to invite the press and cry before the cameras to show that he is fighting insecurity.
Governor Alia is a breath of fresh air. He is not like Ortom, who was grandstanding about security challenges in the media, feasting terribly on the blood of innocent people of Benue under the umbrella of “Security votes.” Governor Alia is taking a quiet but effective approach to tackling insecurity in Benue State. He's working diligently to eliminate the rate of insecurity in the state, and for that, he deserves commendation rather than vituperation.
It does not surprise us that the diatribe is coming from the people who instigated all the security challenges, which Gov. Alia is doing everything possible to flush out. Gov.Hyacinth Iormem Alia is committed to finding solutions rather than just talking about the problems.
We are not oblivious of the fact that there are traditional rulers who are colluding with external forces to perpetuate insecurity in the state for their collaborators to lash in for cheap blackmail.
Governor Alia’s actions so far only demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving security and fostering a peaceful environment in Benue State. He deserves support rather than unfounded accusations or politicization of the situation. And the last person to criticize the Governor in this regard should be Mr. Samuel Ortom.
Sir Tersoo Kula, MNIPR,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State
