Maureen Okpe
The prolonged political tension in Benue State appears to be easing, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the state.
The President’s intervention is already yielding visible signs of reconciliation among key political stakeholders.
President Tinubu was in Benue State just over a week ago to commiserate with the people over persistent insecurity, including the spate of killings that have plagued the region.
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During a Town Hall meeting, the President tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia with fostering peace by engaging political stakeholders, especially former governors and elder statesmen, for discussions that could lead to a broader reconciliation process to end the tension.
In what appears to be a swift response to the President’s call, photos have emerged showing Governor Alia meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the SGF’s Maitama residence in Abuja.
This meeting is significant, as it signals a potential end to the longstanding rift between the two leaders.
Governor Alia confirmed the meeting in a statement on his official Facebook page, describing the visit as a “warm and insightful interaction” that emphasized mutual respect, unity, and a shared commitment to the development of both Benue State and Nigeria.
“In the spirit of unity and progress, I paid a surprise visit to Senator George Akume. Our discussion was rich and purposeful, touching on key state and national issues,” the Governor stated.
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In a related development, more pictures surfaced recently showing a closed-door meeting between Governor Alia, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, and the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, at the Government House in Makurdi.
This meeting comes weeks after the State Assembly had controversially voted to suspend the Chief Judge, a move that attracted national attention and legal scrutiny contributing to the state tension.
The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, who shared the images on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), said the recent developments underscore a renewed commitment to peace and unity in the state.
“In democracy, the fulfilment of the promises of peace, security, unity, and progress is what makes it an effective vehicle for nation-building,” Kula wrote.
“The leaders of the state have come to understand that the peace, unity, and progress of Benue is the ultimate goal at this time, for the people to be served honestly and in a dedicated manner. Benue shall be great again.”