By Donald Kumun
In times of crisis, true leadership is often obscured by the fog of propaganda, political bitterness, and the cacophony of uninformed commentary. Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent attempts by some opposition figures and their sponsored online urchins to mischaracterize Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State. He has been loosely described as irresponsive, nonchalant, and careless in the face of the relentless insecurity bedeviling Sankera, Kwande, Gwer West, Gwer East, Guma, and Zone C axis of the State.
Such narratives, far from objective criticism, are products of political mischief and a failure to appreciate the multidimensional approach that the Governor has adopted in addressing the deeply rooted and complex security challenges in the state.
It is, therefore, imperative to educate the public, dispel these dangerous misconceptions, and highlight the sincere, strategic, and tireless efforts being made by the Governor (Alia), to secure Benue lives and property, while maintaining a trajectory of development.
The insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in the aforementioned areas, is not a creation of the Governor’s administration. He inherited it from his immediate predecessors, His Excellencies, Dr. Samuel Ortom, and Sen. Gabriel Suswam, respectively. It is a longstanding and multifaceted crisis involving external aggression from militia herders, banditry, and the collapse of local conflict resolution frameworks. What we are facing now is not just a breakdown of law and order, but an existential threat that requires sober reflection, unity of purpose, and coordinated action. To expect a silver bullet from any administration without context, support, or partnership from relevant stakeholders, is both dishonest and unhelpful.
Unlike the theatrical responses that characterized past administrations, Governor Alia has adopted for a multi-dimensional and long-term approach rooted in realism, community engagement, and institutional reform. His strategy rests on several pillars.
The Governor has prioritized improved coordination with the military, police, and civil defense corps, and the DSS alike. All the security apparatuses are involved. Under his leadership, operational bases have been reinforced, and patrols intensified in flashpoint areas. He has been in constant touch with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant heads of security agencies, to ensure that Benue’s plight is not reduced to mere statistics in Abuja. In fact, his appeals have attracted federal interventions that are being deliberately underreported by opposition in the social media.
Governor Alia understands that security is not merely about guns and uniforms; it is also about healing broken communities and restoring mutual trust. Through the Benue Peace building Office, and traditional councils, the Governor has launched dialogues between communities in conflict, fostering a culture of engagement rather than retaliation.
As a potent Priest, and core humanitarian at heart, Governor Alia has actively worked to improve the living conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Camps have been visited, at different points, relief materials distributed, and plans initiated for gradual resettlement. His administration has begun rebuilding basic infrastructure in affected communities to encourage returns.
Understanding the role of idle youth in fueling insecurity, the Governor has directed a state security network known as ‘Anyam Nyôr’. This homegrown security structure has an architecture that is proving effective in early detection and deterrence of certain levels of attacks.
Governor Alia has visited Zone C multiple times, held meetings, engaged the traditional rulers and invited several stakeholders into security planning discussions. He is not a governor of one senatorial zone, as some mischief-makers suggest, but of the entire Benue valley.
It must equally be sounded unequivocally that Governor Alia did not rise to leadership through political brokerage or godfatherism. His record as a Catholic priest is a testament to his values: integrity, compassion, and service to humanity. Throughout his clerical career, he championed community development, youth mentorship, and moral uprightness. This same Spirit guides his governance model today. He belongs to a massive movement that produced him. The masses are his major priority. He deploys every resource at the disposal of the state to redeem them from the shackles of deprivations, hunger, debilitating poverty, illiteracy, and illnesses.
Since assuming office, Governor Alia has declined ostentatious lifestyles or headline-grabbing populist antics. Instead, he has quietly focused on delivering results that touch lives—from rebuilding rural roads across the state, renovating schools and hospitals, and electrifying communities. The recent commissioning of over 40 road projects across the three senatorial zones, including those leading to conflict-prone areas, proves that the Governor’s vision is both inclusive and strategic.
He is not focused solely on short-term optics; his vision is intergenerational. He is revamping the livestock and agriculture sector to reduce conflicts the marauding killer herdsmen and farmers through ranching models and sustainable land use policies. Institutional reforms are underway, including the restructuring of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and Peace building Commission, for greater efficiency. He is embracing data-driven governance, employing digital mapping of flashpoints and predictive analysis to anticipate and mitigate crises.
One of the most critical turning points in the state’s collective response to insecurity challenges, happened during the week under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse. This historic meeting brought together a diverse blend of Benue sons and daughters, amidst political affiliations, aimed at brainstorming on sustainable peace in Benue State. Governor Alia’s presence at this meeting once again demonstrated his commitment to inclusive leadership and reverence for traditional authority. He did not send a representative; he was there in person, fully engaged, and providing updates on state efforts.
However, it is deeply regrettable that some prominent sons and daughters of Benue, especially those who parade themselves as leaders of thought, chose to boycott this critical gathering and sent in representatives, with reasons above the top insecurity challenges in their State. Yet, the critics did not see anything wrong to frown at these actions. Their absence was not only disrespectful to the revered highest Tiv Monarch, in Tiv land, but also to the suffering people of their constituencies, who are affected by these killings. No one/position, should be above the interest of his state, under siege. These individuals must be called to order. This is not a time for ego, sabotage, or silent conspiracy. History will judge all of us—not by how much we criticized (unjustly with vehement political intonations), but by how much we contributed in changing the prevailing situation of our existence for the better.
A new wave of toxic commentary and misinformation is being propagated on social media, by faceless accounts, and obviously sponsored influencers. These agents of discord, often young, misled, or paid to cause chaos, have turned online platforms into theaters of bitterness, and bile. Governor Alia’s silence in the face of their attacks must never be mistaken for weakness. His restraint is a mark of leadership maturity. But let it be known that: the state will not allow falsehood and cyber-bullying to destroy the moral fabric of its youth. It is time parents, mentors, and community leaders, reign in these reckless voices, before they do irreversible damage to the image of Benue state.
Let us be clear: Benue State is at war—not just with external aggressors, but with internal saboteurs who would rather see the state burn down, than work together to rebuild it. The time for political grandstanding is over. The time for unity is now. If Governor Alia were truly irresponsible or nonchalant, he would have abandoned the conflict zones and focused on vote-rich, safer constituencies. But he has done the opposite. He has walked the difficult path and should be commended by all.
Benue State needs healing, not hysteria. We need critical thinking, not cynical posts. We need genuine patriots, not parading pundits.
Governor Alia has not only demonstrated care and responsibility, but has also charted a new course for security, and peace building in Benue State. He listens, he plans, he acts—and he endures. The people of Sankera, Kwande, Gwer West, Gwer East, Guma, and Zone C axis of the Idoma and Igede enclaves, deserve more than recycled lies and inflammatory politics. They deserve the truth, support, and stability, and Governor Alia is giving them just that.
Let us support him. Let us reject lies. Let us build Benue together, in the interest of all and sundry.
Donald Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Print Media and writes from Makurdi the State Capital.
