The Coalition for Civil Society Organisations for Justice and Equity (CCSO-JE) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently look into the crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue State.
They also gave the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a 7-day ultimatum to address the political crisis rocking the party or be ready to face mass action.
The national convener of the group, Comr. Olayemi Success, in a statement yesterday urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to call the governor to order before it is too late.
They decried the removal of the state party chairman, Austin Agada, and his replacement by a mere pronouncement of the governor, against the constitution of the APC as both undemocratic and provocative.
According to him, “We equally issue a 7-day ultimatum to Gov. Alia to put his house in order and end the crisis in Benue, restoring peace and unity in the state, else we shall mobilise a massive nationwide action calling for a State of emergency in Benue, so that a competent administrator be appointed to take charge of the situation.”
The statement added that there have been outcries by our members from across the country, especially from Benue State, calling for Civil Society intervention before the situation in Benue explodes into a full-blown national crisis and emergencies, considering recent killings in the state that have affected both indigenes and non-indigenes, while drastically disrupting economic activities, even victimizing travellers along Federal Roads within the state.
“Benue rightfully prides itself as the Food Basket of the Nation. However, today it lives in the shadow of itself as a result of endless violence, thereby affecting farming activities and the production of essential food commodities to other parts of the country.
“The nation is in critical shape and cannot afford further reduction in National Productivity. Hence, our determination to raise our organisational voice against the Administration of Gov. Alia for plunging Benue into this crisis through undemocratic decisions and dictatorial tendencies.”
