RE: KILLINGS BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN IN BENUE AVOIDABLE THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF OPEN GRAZING BAN

RE: KILLINGS BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN IN BENUE AVOIDABLE THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF OPEN GRAZING BAN

On the 3rd of June 2024, Hon. Bemgba Iortyom, spokesman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) released a statement accusing the Benue state governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia of complacency and disregard for the Prohibition of the Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law (2027). The party went further to wrongly accuse His Excellency of an attempt to repeal the law,  indicating that there was "evidence" to prove such a move at the state assembly.

While His Excellency and his entire team regrets the incidence which occurred at Antsa settlement and sympathetises with the residents, the injured and loved ones of those who lost their lives, Bemgba Iortyom and the PDP should note the following:

1. It is unfortunate that the PDP will, for want of a better opposition strategy, politicise the loss of lives and property of citizens and rather than bring forth constructive contributions to end an era which they were chiefly the initiators, use the blood of our beloved sons and daughters to instigate the good people of Benue state against His Excellency's well meaning administration . It is pertinent that the PDP learn the art of opposition, which requires constructive criticism and value addition to move a state forward, as opposition is not enemity. Their focus should be the people and not attempts to selfishly cover their failures while in government.

2. Had the PDP done the needful while in power, when the Herder's attacks were at its peak, rather than drown the impact with noises of attacks, Alia's administration would have been miles further ahead by now, but it's rather unfortunate that he has to do what the PDP failed to do before moving on to other things, which by the grace of God has not dettered him, which in our opinion is eliciting bad blood. We see this out cry as drawing attention to the ONLY thing the PDP accomplished while in office, a desperate move to "protect" the ONLY thing that made sense under the watch of the last administration. We therefore urge the party to rather that distract Gov. Alia who has come to fix their mess, suggest meaningful ways by which things can be done (which we doubt if they have the capacity to)

3. Let it be clear to the Party that His Excellency the Executive governor of Benue state has neither the plan nor the intent of repealing the anti open grazing law. His Excellency is rather strengthening the law, to solve the lapses and close the gaps that were observed in the law when it was hastily set up. Rather than tactically "suspend the law", His Excellency is working on ways and means to give the law the necessary bite it needs to succeed. So rather than accuse Gov. Alia, the PDP should send a high profile delegation to Appreciate him for the steps he is taking.

4. We learn that  Bemgba Iortyom, the spokesman of the PDP is aspiring to become a lawyer one day, we wish him well and encourage him to do what every good intending legal practitioner does, "RESEARCH". If only the spokes man had asked even one question, just one question ONLY, he would have been told that the bill that was sent to the state assembly was that of Civil Protection Guards, meant to strengthen the security apparatus of the state. When the PDP led administration contemplated the anti open grazing law, they hastily set up the livestock guards and later the volunteer guards, without a proper direction of enforcement, maybe because they were set up for political reasons and not for the protection of the people.

      

        His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia and his team have noticed that and are working on a merger of the two bodies and an additional force to make them more effective. This is what the aspiring legal practitioner, Bemgba Iortyom would have found out had he dug just a little. We therefore encourage him once more to take his time and do some research to avoid becoming a charge and bail lawyer.

5. While the governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia led government is not in competition with anyone, it is good to remind the PDP that while they were in power, there were attacks by Herders within the Makurdi metropolis including Adaka and Mobile Barracks areas, a situation this administration has turned around drastically. So painting a picture of this kind of thing has never happened in BENUE before is an indication of selective dementia. The unfortunate incident at Antsa is only indicative of the fact that security is a continuous fight and sometimes the enemy makes some desperate moves to show that they are still breathing but we want to assure the good people of Benue state, that the situation has been brought under control and the relative peace we now enjoy in the state can only get better.

6. Dear Bemgba Iortyom, His Excellency governor Hyacinth Alia is not a noise maker. He is a silent achiever. Unlike the last administration that had nothing to show for their 8years in office, who could only use noise as a distraction and substitute to good governance, Father Alia has too many things to show Benue people and does not need noise to distract them. Besides the man is too deep in thought over what new things to bring to Benue to be shouting like a mad dog. So don't confuse his calmness for condolence. Besides , actions speak louder than words and a wise man does not reveal his plans. 

There are so many atrocities committed by the last administration including owning cows that destroyed people's farms and crops, just so that they could shout "Fulani oooo, Fulani ooooo" but because we are a peace loving people, we won't want to put it out in public space (details doo ga)

It is therefore important for the good people of Benue state to know that His Excellency Gov. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is doing everything within his power to ensure lasting peace and safety of lives and property in the state. There is no plan by this administration whatsoever, no matter how remote, to repeal the anti open grazing law, there are rather moves to strengthen and tighten the loopholes therein. The bill that was submitted to the state assembly was on the Civil Protection Guards and not the anti open grazing law, the intent is to merge the livestock and volunteer guards and add more force and produce the Civil Protection Guards.

The executive governor of Benue state, Rev Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has the good people of Benue state at heart and is working tirelessly to ensure their safety and wellbeing and very soon criminal elements will be completely flushed out of the state.

There is therefore every need for the good people of Benue state to stand by His Excellency to ensure that he continues with the good plans he has for BENUE people without unnecessary DISTRACTIONS by the PDP or any other person for that matter.

Surely, our Benue shall be great again.

Solomon Iorpev  

Technical Adviser to the Benue state Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication 

04/06/2024