Members of the Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability have alleged plots to destabilise the administration of Benue State governor, Hyacinth Iornem Alia, by some anti-progress people.
The allegations were made by Comrade Joseph Uyeh on behalf of the coalition.
The group dismissed those desperately trying to undermine the developmental strides of Governor Alia, describing them as political failures and losers.
It passed a vote of confidence in the governor and warned those who have been paid to tarnish Alia’s hard-earned image to think twice before disgracing themselves before the rest of Nigeria.
Uyeh, who issued a press statement, said, “Despite the remarkable good works currently ongoing in Benue State, some stakeholders are aggrieved with the shift from the traditional money-sharing and political patronage that once characterized politics in the state and elsewhere.
“We have received credible intelligence to the effect that those who are opposed to the principled leadership of His Excellency which places the welfare of the people first above political patronage are not resting as they plot and scheme to cast his efforts in bad light,” he added.
According to him, in recent weeks, there had been many sponsored press conferences in Abuja and elsewhere by persons who can best be described as enemies of the state accusing the governor of all manner of offences which, upon close scrutiny, are nothing but a bag of lies.
“The motive is simple, to create an impression that the principled leadership of His Excellency which majority of Benue indigenes are proud of and devotedly in support is authoritarian. To be honest with you, Benue has never been in better hands since the administration of Apollos Aper Aku of blessed memory,” he said.
“It is simply mischievous and diabolic for the Chief security officer of a state to be accused of sponsoring thugs and also trying to harass judicial officers as many would want Nigerians to believe. The Governor did not and cannot under any circumstances be associated with thugs, let alone violence.
“Those planning to protest against the Governor in Abuja should be ashamed of themselves and be informed of the dire consequences. If the Governor was doing so badly and they had the support of Benue people, why are they not protesting against him in Benue State?
“Based on verified realities on ground, we as foremost CSOs have come together to pass an overwhelming vote of confidence in him and his administration so as to encourage other Governors and leaders to emulate his sterling leadership qualities especially in the face of unbridled opposition”, the release stated.
The coalition hailed the harmonious relationship between Governor Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as legendary and impactful.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be commended for his support of the governor, which has led to the positive milestones recorded in the state.
The group said those who wanted to plant their stooges to work at cross purposes with the governor and run parallel governments under his watch are aggrieved no doubt, adding that they cannot have their way under the assertive leadership of Alia.
