THE Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has disclosed the details of a private meeting held with President Bola Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, aimed at resolving the security crisis and political tensions in the state.
Speaking at an interview today, Governor Alia said the President initiated the meeting as a step toward achieving political stability and ending the persistent violence in the state, largely attributed to attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.
“The President invited both of us to understand what he had been hearing publicly. The SGF confirmed there’s no rift between us, and if there had been, it’s been resolved. Our traditional institutions can now rest easy,” Alia said.
Benue has witnessed recurring violent attacks, with over 160 residents reportedly killed in recent weeks. The President had earlier charged Governor Alia with facilitating reconciliation and peace talks among local stakeholders, farmers, herders, and affected communities to restore calm and coexistence.
Addressing reports of political tension between him and Akume, a former governor of the state and APC stalwart, Alia insisted there was no feud over the control of the party structure in Benue.
“The crisis in Benue is multi-layered. While we can contain local conflicts, external elements armed with sophisticated weapons are responsible for much of the destruction,” Alia added.
He emphasized that resolving the crisis would require both local strategies and broader political will, including collaboration with security forces and support from the federal government.
Governor Alia also dismissed allegations that the federal government had abandoned the state in its struggle to repel attacks. He credited President Tinubu’s administration for backing the state’s efforts.
“Seventeen local government areas were under siege at one time. With full federal support, we’ve reduced that number to just three. That’s not possible without genuine commitment,” he stated.
The governor’s remarks follow ongoing concern over rising insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and highlight the need for sustained dialogue and support to prevent further loss of lives.