THE United Actions For Democracy (UAD) has called on Benue State indigenes and Nigerians to rise and demand the immediate resignations of both Governor Alia and President Bola Tinubu in the wake of the current killings in the state.
This was contained in a statement on Monday, jointly signed by their General Secretary, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, and Convener, Barrister Gabriel Ojumah, which said beyond the “Herders/Farmers” crises is a deep interest of the ruling class in both the agricultural and mineral resources beneath the earth of Benue and Nigeria generally.
“The interest of our rulers is to optimise their gains from the illegal and imperial exploitations of these resources with impunity and without any benefits to the people, nor are they even interested in protecting the people.
“The UAD is appalled by the killings of about 200 citizens of Benue in Guma and other towns a few days ago. This is horrible! We are equally embarrassed by the manner with which the governor, Reverend Father Alia, suddenly became so powerful as youths took to the streets on Saturday to protest the massacre.
“Governor Alia, who has been so irresponsible as the Chief Security Officer of the state, suddenly became powerful seeing the citizens protest. What this means is that Governor Alia is contented with the killings in Benue State while he hates civil demonstrations.
“We also saw Governor Alia in a phone conversation with the failed president Tinubu, lying that those killed were only 50. We also saw his countenance and that of the president as more of a beggarly and conciliatory nature rather than resolving and taking the bull by the horns immediately.
“President Tinubu also does not believe that the tragedy in Benue demands an emergency. He told a ceremonial assembly today, Monday, that he would adjust his schedules and visit Benue on Wednesday. That’s almost five days after the massacre!”
The group noted that both Governor Alia and President Tinubu have failed Benue and the entire Nigerian people, adding that they have demonstrated that they do not care about the lives of citizens but their malgovernance and punitive activities against our shared democracy.
