President Bola Tinubu says he will work with Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, to restore peace in the state.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with political and traditional leaders on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital, Tinubu said Alia was not elected to preside over tragedy.
The president’s visit follows a wave of deadly attacks in the state, where armed herdsmen reportedly killed over 100 people.
“You’re elected under the progressive banner to ensure there’s peace, stability, and progress so that we can come and commission projects, rejoice with you on progress, value, and things of joy,” Tinubu said while addressing Alia.
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“You are not elected to bury people, create orphans and orphanages, or sympathise with widows. We will work with you to achieve that peace.”
Tinubu also took a swipe at Alia’s political adversaries.
“Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed,” the president said, adding, “are you just realising that?”
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Tinubu said he takes feedback from public commentary seriously and learns from his critics.
“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers, and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” he said.
He called on leaders across the north-central state to work together to end the violence and rebuild trust among communities.
On Tuesday, leaders of Benue communities in the diaspora rejected Tinubu’s call for reconciliation amid ongoing violence in the state, insisting that the attacks amount to terrorism rather than communal conflict.
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In an open letter to Tinubu, the diaspora group said the call by the president for reconciliation meetings between “warring parties” was “misplaced”.
