Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has shed light on a recent meeting he held with President Bola Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
The governor, who was a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, said the President convened the meeting as part of a political solution to end the gruesome killings in the state.
Alia said the crisis must be tackled with different methods including reconciliations.
He said, “We have a complex situation that is primarily being sponsored from somewhere, being remote-controlled from somewhere.
“We would be able to contain the intra-local government and the intra-local government crises in the state.
“The problem here is the externals who come in armed with their AK-47 and their AK-49.”
He added,“I think the president is not wrong to have said that we should find a common ground for reconciliation.
“He had invited the SGF and myself because of what he was hearing out there in the public. He tried to find out whether there were some differences between us.
“The SGF himself said there were no differences between us. If they were, going forward, there would be no anxiety at all. So, the traditional institutions should go to their beds with eyes closed.”
Alia also refuted claims that the Federal Government has not come to the aid of the people of Benue State to defend them against vicious, blood-thirsty marauders.
“If he (President Bola Tinubu) didn’t have an understanding of what is going on, he won’t be giving us full support,” the governor said on the television programme.
“Seventeen local governments out of 23 were under siege and then we fought it down to nine local governments. We fought it down to six and now to three. It came down because of the full support we got from the Federal Government.”
Benue State has been under heavy attacks by suspected herdsmen, resulting in the deaths of over 160 residents in recent weeks.
The killings have been linked to inter-communal conflicts and land dominance between agrarian dwellers and nomadic cattle rearers.
President Tinubu convened the meeting as part of a political solution to end the gruesome killings in the state.
The President has charged Governor Alia with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence.
Alia described the situation as complex, with external factors contributing to the crisis.
He emphasised the need for reconciliation efforts to address the crisis, citing the President’s initiative as a step in the right direction.
Governor Alia refuted claims that the Federal Government has not provided adequate support to the state, stating that the President’s efforts have helped reduce the number of local governments under siege from 17 to 3.
Alia clarified that there are no differences between him and the SGF, George Akume, contrary to reports suggesting a feud between them.
The meeting between Governor Alia, President Tinubu, and the SGF highlighted the government’s efforts to address the crisis in Benue State and find a lasting solution to the conflict.
