From our correspondent, in Makurdi
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has asked his predecessors to refrain from interfering in his administration, maintaining that they have had their own terms.
The Governor who gave this warning while briefing Journalists upon his return from USA said that he would not allow anyone to destabilise his administration.
It could be recalled that the immediate past Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom during his 63rd birthday, advised his successor to mend fences with the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Sen. George Akume for the development of the State.
Alia said, “I can’t allow anyone whether a former governor or Civil Servant. If you are a former governor and you have nothing to contribute to Benue, shut up. You had your term, you went through it, allow the administration to work.
“You did your part and
If you are in the state, know exactly what you are saying. Criticisms are welcomed but verify your facts.
“If you have served your tenure, you cannot stay by the side and destabilise this government’, he said
Governor Alia explained that he along with nine other Governors of the North were invited by USA Peace Institute to chat a way forward on insecurity confronting them.
Said he: “10 Governors were there and a number of things were considered for implementation. Amongst them is how to get back out displaced persons home which is paramount to me.
“I have been away in the last eight days to sell the image of the state and clear it’s battered image.
“In the past, Benue wasn’t even at the national radar. It’s going to be a place where other states will come to learn, emulate and take back to their states.
“Farmers are getting back to farm in Gwer West, Gwer East, Guma and Makurdi among others are enjoying relative peace.
“Those;of us at the home front, must do our best. Each person is a security personnel and it must go beyond seeing something and saying something
“Don’t let anybody buy you off to sell your people don’t let anyone cow you to sell off your land.
“Cooperate with security apparatus to give us their best.The uniform people are here with us and for us. If someone wants to use you to steal cows or to cause mischief, tell them to bring back their children o take part or to be at the from.
“If we get to know of such in any community the person will face the music. Our people cannot settle for less
“I’m a man of peace and I’m am poised to bringing peace in the State
“I don’t want to stop at paying salaries or paying arrears, we have gone ahead to start employment.
“Whoever has called the Benue youth thugs should withdraw that statement. The youths of the state have suffered in the past and we won’t want anyone to picket them.
“The youths here are concerned about what happens in the state and I want everyone to respect them
“They are the backbone of our APC in the state and the party has come to stay in the state.
“There are a lot of things we need to put in place to make our place liveable.
“I don’t want to hear anything about cultism in Benue. If cultism is your religion practice it silently don’t disturb anyone with it. But I want to make it clear that cultism has no place in this state. 419, Yahoo Yahoo has no room here.
“By some report I have heard some hotels hide or shield some persons who come into the state without clear cut roles.
“If you know anyone involved in kidnapping, let me know. We are going to establish a phone center to enable you call for prompt action.
“If we discover any kidnapper or armed robber in any hotel or house, we are going to pull it down.
“We want to do good business in Benue and for people to come, we would not accommodate criminals
“Form farm cooperatives. We are making arrangements to get seeds and inputs for the farmers.
“We will continue to do more to help farmers. In the new Benue, I want farmers to smile”, Governor Alia said.
