The Benue State Government has described protests against Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of the state in Abuja as sponsored and orchestrated campaigns of misinformation designed to destabilise the state and undermine his administration.
Governor Alia stated this through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, in reaction to recent protests staged against the governor in Abuja.
“In recent weeks, we have witnessed a series of protests in Abuja, purportedly representing the concerns of Benue State citizens. However, it has become abundantly clear that these demonstrations are calculated attempts by disgruntled elements to settle personal scores and advance a malicious agenda.
“These individuals, driven by a desperate desire to paint Benue State in the worst possible light, appear to believe that by doing so, they can push President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in our state.
“This misguided notion stems from a deep-seated aversion to positive change and a yearning for a return to a discredited status quo. Their ultimate goal, is to create an environment of chaos and instability, allowing them to exploit the situation for their own selfish gain,” the CPS stated.
He added that the state government was particularly disturbed by the blatant attempts to weaponise the legal profession in this campaign of deceit.
“We have witnessed the spectacle of ex-convicts being paraded at press conferences, individuals masquerading as lawyers, and unregistered organisations submitting petitions filled with lies and offensive accusations to the National Assembly,” he said.
Kula noted that these actions not only undermine the integrity of the legal profession but also demonstrate the depths to which these individuals were willing to sink in their pursuit of personal vendettas.
“We urge the Nigeria Bar Association to take swift and decisive action to address these instances of impersonation and professional misconduct,” he stated.
Governor Alia’s spokesman also maintained that, “The sponsors of these protests are known, and their motives are transparent. They are driven by a desperate desire to remove Governor Alia from office, but they will not succeed.
“The people of the State are united in their support for their governor and will not allow these forces of disruption to undermine the progress being made under his leadership.”
He assured that Benue is safe and secure, adding that, “All the three arms of government are functioning smoothly, and the legislative business is proceeding seamlessly. Governor Alia is diligently delivering on his mandate, and the state is making significant strides in addressing the challenges it faces.”
He maintained that while the issue of insecurity is a national concern, Governor Alia is taking proactive steps to curtail the activities of armed herders and protect the communities. “His administration is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents of Benue State.”
The statement called on the media to exercise due diligence by avoiding to amplify the “voices of those who seek to spread misinformation and sow seeds of discord. We urge the public to remain vigilant and reject any false narratives being propagated by these disgruntled elements.”
He restated that the government of Benue State remained focused on delivering tangible benefits to its citizens and building a brighter future for the state.
Kula vowed that the government will not be distracted by these malicious attacks, confident that with the support of the Benue people, the challenges confronting the state will be overcome and shared goals of the administration achieved.