Gov Alia, during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday night, had alleged that the SGF and his associates had not spoken out or taken action on the wave of killings and violence, particularly in the Sankera region.
He further disclosed that a panel of inquiry set up by his administration had implicated unnamed individuals based in Abuja in sponsoring violence in the state
SGF AKUME DEEPLY INVOLVED IN FIGHT AGAINST INSECURITY, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOV. ALIA
Remarks by Benue State Governor, His Excellency, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, regarding the state of insecurity in the state does not speak to the heart of the situation.
His Excellency the Governor in an outing on Channels Television last night alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume and his cronies have not said anything about the crisis.
He also claimed that he is in possession of a report by a Panel of Inquiry which he set up to probe insecurity in the Sankera axis of the state and that the report indicts certain persons who are in Abuja of direct involvement in sponsoring insecurity there.
It is under much constraint that the office of the SGF responds to those remarks by His Excellency the Governor, being that it is the official policy of the SGF not to be involved in anything that might lend controversy to the issue of insecurity anywhere in the country.
However, it must be stated for the records that he has ensured within his official brief and even beyond it that the issue of insecurity in all forms, be it banditry, herdsmen attacks, kidnappings and other forms of terrorism, not just in Benue State but everywhere in the country, are kept properly in the view of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for necessary action.
If the Governor of Benue State has expected that the SGF would be seen in the media discussing the efforts he has been making in that regard, then it betrays either a lack of understanding of governmental administrative procedure, or he is deliberately and unfortunately seeking to manipulate public sentiments against the SGF.
As a member of the Federal Security Council His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia very well understands how the Federal Executive Council functions and how it is through its channels of communication and administrative action, in which the SGF is centrally involved, that several security interventions have been made to Benue State and elsewhere towards tackling insecurity.
It is also pertinent to remind His Excellency the Governor of Benue State that those he has persistently sought to label as cronies of the SGF in Abuja, particularly those in the National Assembly, have been most vociferous on the floor of the NASS in calling attention to issues of insecurity in Benue State.
Distinguished Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende as well as members of the House of Representatives from Benue State have been up and doing consistently in keeping the issue of attacks, killings and kidnappings by suspected herdsmen, bandits and terrorists on the front burner of discussion in the both chambers of the NASS.
Those efforts by the Benue lawmakers in the NASS have resulted in a number of motions which have gotten the attention and action of the Federal Executive Council.
By his official designation, the SGF is permitted more of asymmetrical contributions to the scourge of insecurity in Nigeria, which yields more telling impact, than if he were to be mounting the rostrum to publicly discuss what he does regarding the matter.
On the allegations by His Excellency the Governor that the report of his Panel of Inquiry indicts certain persons of complicity in fuelling insecurity in a part of Benue State, it is noteworthy that by administrative procedure, such reports are taken through stages of vetting and gazzetting into a White Paper before their content may be deemed as a credible and official position of Government.
But since His Excellency the Governor has chosen, perhaps as a result of how burning the issue is, to let the cat out of the bag before the administrative procedure, we urge him to make good on his word and expose those involved in the crime of aiding and abetting insecurity in his state.
His Excellency the Governor of Benue State must understand that his allegations and preemptive indictment of the persons so fingered now carry the weight of national security concern and must be treated as such.
He should forward to His Excellency the President and to the Federal Security Council the names of those so indicted and their roles in sponsoring, aiding and abetting insecurity in Benue State as he claimed, and should also bring it publicly to the attention of the whole world who those enemies of Benue State are.
May we lastly urge His Excellency Mr. Governor to also consider adopting a transparent all inclusive approach towards tackling insecurity in Benue State, such as could possibly bring him into direct consultation with the people at the grassroots making it possible for him to understand the gravity of the situation which he seems at the moment not to.
Such an approach will help to shape for His Excellency a consistent position regarding the crisis, such as whether it is foreign terrorists, Benue people themselves or whoever, is responsible for it, thereby eradicating his seeming confusion as to who actually is responsible.
It is the assurance to His Excellency the Governor of Benue State, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, that the SGF remains committed to the best interests of Benue State and the well-being of the people, and is doing everything in his official and private capacity to ensure the eradication of insecurity there and elsewhere in Nigeria.
The SGF is also committed to following the leadership that will be provided by His Excellency as the undisputable Governor of Benue State under whose authority all powers and resources are vested to prosecute the war against all forms of insecurity in the state pursuant to attainment of the peace, security, prosperity and well-being of the people.
It remains the prayers of the SGF that God Almighty bless and continues to grant unto His Excellency the Governor of Benue, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the grace, wisdom, courage as well as protection to lead forthrightly in the best interests of the state and the people.
Terrence Kuanum
Special Adviser
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Public Affairs
Comments
Post a Comment