2. The Governor’s Allegation of Abuja-Based Sponsors
Governor Alia referenced a Panel of Inquiry which unearthed the involvement of persons residing in Abuja in orchestrating insecurity in the Sankera axis. Rather than address the grave substance of this allegation, Mr. Kuanum’s statement takes refuge in procedural pedantry—arguing that the report has not been “vetted and gazetted into a White Paper,” as though life-saving action should await paperwork (by the way, see below the constitutional empowerment of Gov. Alia to take the steps that he has taken to unravel the sponsors of Benue terrorism).
If the SGF’s office is confident that no associate of the SGF is implicated, it should welcome and genuinely support Gov. Alia’s setting up of the Judicial Commission or Panel of Inquiry and the work it has done so far rather than this undignified attempt at devaluation and ridicule. In any case, Gov. Alia said during his June 6 interview on Channel TV that he was in possession of the “interim report”, that the full report of the Panel was expected between Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11. It appears that it is not the Governor, but the SGF’s camp, that appears nervous about disclosure, at least from the response by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs. The comments by the SGF (through his SA) regarding the Panel of Inquiry were a strategic error: they appear to be defensive as though someone perceives the SGF or some of his known loyalists may appear on the list of sponsors of Benue terrorist attacks that the Benue Panel may include in its final report. It is unprecedented and commendable that Gov. Alia would undertake the dangerous task of unearthing the sponsors of Benue terrorism. We trust President Tinubu is watching with genuine but quiet admiration.
3. Constitutional Support of Governor Alia’s Administrative Actions:
Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), a State Governor has the legal and constitutional authority to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry. The primary legal backing comes from the following provisions:
I. Section 315(5)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended):
This section saves or preserves existing laws, including the Tribunals of Inquiry Law of each state (a law passed during the regional era, which has continued to apply within states).
For Benue State, this is the:
Tribunals of Inquiry
Law, Cap. 172, Laws
of Benue State 2004:
This law empowers the Governor to constitute a Commission or Panel of Inquiry to investigate:
* The conduct of any person in the discharge of his duties;
* Any matter of public interest within the state.
This law remains valid and in force by virtue of Section 315 of the Constitution.
II. Section 2 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Law (Benue State):
“The Governor may,
whenever he shall
deem it advisable,
issue a commission
appointing one or
more commissioners
to hold a commission
of inquiry into:
(a) any matter in
respect of which in his
opinion an inquiry
would be for the
public welfare.”
This gives full discretion to the Governor to determine when and what to investigate—especially issues affecting public peace, welfare, and security.
III. Section 5(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)– Executive Powers of a State:
“The executive powers
of a State—
(a) shall extend to the
execution and
maintenance of this
Constitution, all laws
made by the House of
Assembly of the State
and to all matters with
respect to which the
House of Assembly
has for the time being
power to make laws.”
This section reaffirms that the Governor can exercise all lawful powers conferred by state legislation, such as the Tribunals of Inquiry Law, to protect public interest.
The Governor of Benue State is fully empowered under the Nigerian Constitution and Benue State laws to:
* Establish a Judicial or Administrative Panel of Inquiry;
* Investigate any individual or issue of public concern;
* Publish or act upon findings, especially on matters affecting state security, governance, or public safety.
4. Mischaracterization of the Governor’s Understanding
To insinuate that Governor Alia “lacks understanding” of federal procedures is condescending and unbecoming. As a sitting member of the Federal Security Council and a former high-ranking priest trained in administrative discipline, Governor Alia is fully aware of institutional protocols. His concerns stem not from ignorance but from the lived reality of a people under siege and the visible absence of the desired outcomes of strategic federal partnership.
5. The Role of Benue Legislators and “Cronies”
The mention of the names of two Senators and “Representatives from Benue” by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs is a distraction. The governor’s reference to “cronies” was specific: those who may be politically aligned with the SGF and are believed to be complicit in the chaos, not the entire legislative delegation. In fact, Governor Alia has welcomed and acknowledged motions by responsible legislators. What he has not tolerated—and rightly so—is the shielding of politically exposed individuals behind the veil of partisan loyalty.
6. On Who Is Responsible for the Crisis
Mr. Kuanum’s statement ends on a puzzling note, suggesting that the Governor is confused about the nature of the threat—whether it is from “foreign terrorists” or “Benue people.” This is disingenuous. Governor Alia has consistently drawn attention to external invasions, particularly from herdsmen militias, as well as internal collaborators who profit from disorder. That is not confusion; it is a nuanced and fact-based position. The two sources of the crisis that Governor Alia has identified are not mutually exclusive, but intersecting.
7. Unmistakable Mockery but Instructive Concession of Leadership
The Media Adviser of SGF Akume wrote: “The SGF is committed to FOLLOWING the LEADERSHIP that WILL be provided by His Excellency as the UNDISPUTABLE Governor of Benue State under whose authority ALL power and resources are vested to PROSECUTE the war against all forms of insecurity in the State pursuant to attainment of the peace, security, and well-being of the people.” (emphases ours)
We have heard loud and clear both the veiled mockery in this statement at a time when Benue is literally bleeding blood. At the same time, we have, sadly so, taken note of the official surrender of leadership by the one his loyalists love to call “leader”: rather, SGF, through his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, has officially announced that he is “committed to following the leadership” that Governor Alia would provide.
While not missing the mockery in the reference to His Excellency, Governor Alia as the “UNDISPUTABLE Governor of Benue State” by the SGF, we equally take advised note of his concession of leadership to Gov. Alia. Henceforth, we advise the governor to recognize that he ought to take this challenge and provide Benue State the leadership that the state deserves at this time of distress, and let’s see if the SGF will FOLLOW as he has publicly promised to. Benue State elected Governor Alia at a distressing moment, and he must not show mercy to “troublers” of Benue State, including all whose names shall be published as sponsors of state terrorism. He should intimate President Tinubu of the findings of the Panel of Inquiry.
8. Benue’s Crisis Demands More Than Prayers
While the prayers of the SGF are appreciated, Benue requires more than pious wishes. The state needs advocacy, responsible security deployment, relief support, and concrete federal action—not cryptic assurances of invisible efforts.
The SGF is a proud son of Benue. If ever there was a time to rise above political turf wars and lend both his voice and influence to ending the bloodshed, that time is now. We urge him to match the dignity of his office with the gravity of the moment. At the same time, his words, through his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, offer little confidence that he will. In the circumstances Benue State should move on. In the words of Mordecai of the Jews, we say to those who will hear, “If you altogether hold your peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to Benue from another place; but you and your father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” But those who trouble Benue shall be troubled.
Let us place the people first, not the safety of our bread and offices. Anything less is a betrayal of our shared humanity.
Prepared by:
Prof. Leonard KARSHIMA SHILGBA
On behalf of the Benue Pathfinders
