The Tiv Youth Organisation (TYO) has disclosed that it did not participate in the nationwide Endbadgovernce protest to honour the several appeals made to it by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
This is even as the group’s leader, Vincent Kaior, debunked the claims by the Benue National Assembly caucus members and Federal Appointees Forum that they have provided direction and support to the state’s teeming youths, which makes them shun the ongoing nationwide end-bad governance protest.
TYO, who made their position known during a press conference in Makurdi, explained that when the preparation for the nationwide endbadgovernce protest was in full swing, no group member bothered to come home and address the youths on reasons to avoid the protest.
According to them, “it was the State Governor, who was dutifully up and doing, putting in great efforts which informed their decision to choose peace over protest.”
They recalled the claim, which was contained in a publication dated 2nd August 2024, wherein the sponsors showered praises on Benue youths for resisting the temptation to join in the ongoing end destructive governance protest, describing the move as wisdom, which has saved the state from chaos and instability and wanton destruction of lives and property.
“We want to clarify that our refusal to join the nationwide protest was basically due to several appeals by the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.”
“Let it be on record that our non-participation in the ongoing end destructive governance protest was to honour the Governor and not in any way the honour of any Abuja politicians who have not reached us in any way as claimed.
“We have seen the Governor as a man with a focused vision. He has serially depicted that. Any attempt to join that protest would have allowed enemies of progress to cease the exercise and wreak havoc in the state with fine infrastructures built as a target,” TYO said.
According to the group, “Since the beginning of this administration, the Tiv Youth Organization, the umbrella body of the youths of Tiv extraction, has never received any palliatives or relief materials from this forum, be it during festivities or any season.
