TheCable

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to stop “feasting on bad news and misfortune”.

Alia spoke in reaction to the claims by the PDP that the governor has a “policy of keeping silent over activities of terrorists in the state”.

In a statement on Sunday, Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to the governor, said Alia has a proactive way of responding to issues in the state.

The spokesperson said the governor would not succumb to “crying on cameras” over insecurity as was the case when the opposition party was in power.

He dismissed the claims that Alia was silent because he is aiding crimes, noting that the governor regards security issues “very seriously”.

He said the PDP has remained silent over the achievements of the governor in tackling insecurity but would rather share bad news and misfortune.

Speaking on the recent Makurdi-Naka attack in the state, Kula said the governor, despite being away, directed Joseph Har, his adviser, to the Benue Links Limited headquarters and the scene of the incident for proper details of what happened.

“Alia must not always come out to organize press conferences and cry on cameras before the party will accept that he is making efforts,” the statement reads.

“You don’t talk or cry over security issues as was the case in the past 8 years. A responsive leader acts proactively. This is what governor Hyacinth Alia is busy doing at the moment.”

The chief press secretary said the governor, recently launched exercise enduring peace III in the Tyodugh community to address insecurity in the state.

He said during the exercise, Alia called on the residents to support the government and the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

“There was no word of commendation from the Benue PDP about this great security step by the government, the same way the party kept quiet when commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Hon. Mathew Aboh, got released from his captives, given the efforts of the state government and security agencies,” he said.

“It is now obvious that the Benue PDP’s new strategy is to feast on bad news and misfortune involving the people of the state.

“It is even more bizarre that the Benue PDP is calling on the governor to embrace the same tactics of always crying in the media, after which there was no positive outcome.

“We must reemphasize that the administration of Rev. Fr. Alia will not toe the same line of media propaganda the PDP employed during its reign in the state, especially as the precious lives of the good people of Benue are involved.

“These people trusted the governor with their votes, and he will not betray that trust.”