July 31, (THEWILL) – Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has again appealed to leaders of youth groups, organised labour, and the entire residents of the state to stay away from the planned protest against the general hardship in the nation.
Governor Alia, while addressing stakeholders at IBB Square, Makurdi, said it was only constitutional that the people stage a peaceful protest to press home their demand, however, he could not understate the fear that mischief makers may take advantage of the protest and cause destruction.
“Social protests can be devastating since they can cause economic setbacks and loss of lives, giving reference to the ‘EndSARS’ protest and the recent protest in Ukum local Government area of the state”.
The Governor emphasised that the precarious security situation in some parts of the state makes Benue an unsafe environment for protest.
He acknowledged the hardship in the nation, stating however that President Tinubu was trying very hard to mitigate the adverse effect it has on Nigerian citizens.
According to him, the multi-sectoral development Benue State is witnessing at the moment is through the instrumentality of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If you see any development in Benue State, my dear friends, it is through the instrumentality of Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Jagaban”
On the civil unrest in Ukum Local Government, the Governor said a Judicial Commission of Enquiry was set up and that they will soon be sitting in Gboko, calling on everyone with useful information about the security situation in the area to find their way to the committee and talk to them.
The governor thanked the Benue people for all the support his administration has enjoyed, promising that he would continue to do his best to guarantee good governance to the general masses that gave him the mandate.
In their separate responses, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Terungwa Igbe; Gideon Atan of Trade Union Congress, as well as Youth leaders, including students leaders, BEMOA, market unions and support groups, all promised that there will be no protest in the state.
They thanked Governor Alia for the numerous projects he has executed, emphasising the welfare of civil servants which he has made a top priority of his administration and appealed to him to give new consideration to payment of arrears of salaries and pensions.
