By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Masev Development Association, MDA, has expressed dismay, distress, and disillusionment following the recent pronouncement by His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, over his recent assertion linking the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in Wandor, Mbaikyor, in Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government, to cattle rustling.
The Masev nation, represented by the MDA President General, Prof. Vearumun Tarhule, said such assertion by the governor himself, “has further left our community shattered and demoralized”.
Addressing a press conference at the NUJ House in Makurdi on Sunday, Prof. Tarhule said, “But for the trending video on all social media channels, we would not have believed that Gov. Alia whom the Masev people massively voted for could have said such a thing. Gov Alia’s irrefutable pictorial and audio evidence in the form of Video stared us in the face”.
The MDA President who regretted that the Governor could not personally visit families of the victims after the horrific scene, miraculously knew that it was some Masev youth that rustled cows, killed some and were marketing them in wheelbarrows.
“It looks to us that someone sold a poorly crafted story to the Governor who rushed to gleefully announce the verdict”, Prof. Tarhule pointed out.
“In our respective view it is statements (justifications) such as offered by Governor Alia that further embolden the herders. Such statements ought not and should never have come from Gov. Alia or any elected or appointed Government official. What happened to the Anti Open grazing law which the Governor said was in force and the two weeks ultimatum given which has expired?
Prof. Tarhule called on the Benue State Governor to honour his constitutional responsibility of securing the lives of Benue people, not for him to be threading blame, offering excuses which even children will not believe, and consequently playing politics with the lives of Benue People.1
On Governor’s declaration, Prof. Tarhule said, “National Executive Council of the Masev Development Association convened an emergency meeting, and have resolved to vehemently reject and challenge the unsubstantiated, biased, and premature conclusions drawn by the Governor. It is evident that the rushed judgment lacks due process, fairness, and adherence to principles of justice”.
“We express deep concern and apprehension over the Governor’s inclination to apportion blame without thorough investigation and unbiased scrutiny. At a time when lives are lost, and properties worth millions are razed, it is disheartening that the Governor chose to cast unwarranted accusations upon the youths of Wandor, Mbaikyor. Our people, who have already endured the brunt of external forces, now face unjustified condemnation.
The Masev community finds it bewildering that while the Governor extends condolences and promises to pursue the perpetrators behind this heinous act, his office, through his Chief Press Secretary, shifts blame onto local youths. This conflicting stance not only undermines the gravity of the situation but also exacerbates the pain and frustration felt by our people”.
