THE National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s approach to the escalating violence in Benue State, asserting that the president remains neutral and committed to resolving the crisis.
Speaking in an interview today, Basiru dismissed claims that Tinubu’s recent visit to the state was politically motivated or lopsided in its engagement.
“As a statesman, you don’t expect the president to take sides in the conflict,” Basiru said. “He is expected to approach the issue with dispassion and rally relevant actors to address the challenges.”
President Tinubu had visited Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in the wake of renewed killings attributed to suspected herdsmen.
The attack in Yelewata alone reportedly claimed the lives of over 59 people—though civil rights groups estimate the death toll at around 200—and displaced over 3,000 residents.
While some critics faulted Tinubu’s visit for not including a stop in the affected Yelewata community, Basiru emphasized that the trip offered a platform for dialogue and engagement.
Notably, Tor Tiv V, Professor James Ayatse, a revered traditional ruler, addressed the president during the visit, expressing the deep concerns of the people.
“The president gave the Tor Tiv the opportunity to speak, and the message delivered reflected the urgency and gravity of the moment,” Basiru said. “This validates the significance of the president’s visit, which created space for multiple perspectives.”
Reaffirming the president’s neutrality, the APC secretary dismissed claims that Tinubu was pandering to any regional bloc.
“People trying to stir ethnic division by claiming the president favours northern or southern interests are missing the point,” he said. “President Tinubu is a detribalised Nigerian who chose to be physically present in Makurdi to address the worsening situation.”
Basiru also underscored the president’s stance that human lives take precedence over property. “In his words and actions, he made it clear that the lives of Nigerians are far more important than any livestock or property.”
The Tor Tiv had earlier described the persistent killings in Benue as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits.”
Following mounting national and international outrage—including condemnation from Pope Leo XIV—President Tinubu directed the service chiefs to take swift action to end the violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Benue, a vital agricultural hub in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has endured years of communal violence and attacks linked to clashes between herders and farmers, often over land use. The latest surge in attacks has renewed calls for decisive federal intervention.