President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to prioritise peace and development, saying he was elected to govern, not to conduct burials.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu decried the continued violence in the state, describing the human toll as unacceptable and promising federal support to restore peace.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, not to console grieving families. Peace is essential for development,” Tinubu said. “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.”
The meeting, which followed President Tinubu’s visit to victims of recent attacks receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, drew a high-profile audience, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, traditional rulers, former governors, and the governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states.
Tinubu called for the immediate constitution of a peace committee to address the underlying issues fuelling the unrest in Benue.
He also directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up on land allocation for ranching, a move seen as key to resolving farmer-herder conflicts.
In a symbolic gesture, the President called for public blood donations to assist the injured, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the state.
“I assure you, we will find peace,” he said. “We will convert this tragedy into prosperity. Let us meet again in Abuja and fashion a lasting peace framework.”
Governor Alia, in his response, appealed for a Special Intervention Fund to rebuild communities devastated by the incessant violence, particularly those involving armed herders and bandits.
“While we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for affected communities,” Alia said.
He added that the fund would aid the rehabilitation of displaced persons, reconstruction of destroyed homes and infrastructure, and restoration of livelihoods for farmers.
The governor also reaffirmed his support for the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to the security crisis, pledging his administration’s commitment to building a safe, stable, and prosperous Benue.
In a passionate appeal, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, commended Tinubu for visiting victims and acknowledged his inclusion of Benue indigenes in key federal appointments.
However, the monarch warned against mischaracterising the crisis, saying it was not merely a herder-farmer clash, but a “full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits.”
He accused some politicians of weaponising the crisis for political advantage, warning that any attempt to worsen the situation for personal gain was a betrayal of the people.
“Some prefer that the crisis deepens so it can justify declaring a state of emergency. That is unfortunate. Any politician who prays for more deaths for such a purpose is working against Benue,” Ayatse said.
He concluded with an emotional plea to the President: “All we ask is for peace. Stop our weeping. Let our farmers return to their fields and feed Nigeria again.”
President Tinubu pledged continued collaboration with the Benue State Government, saying the Federal Government would not rest until peace is restored.
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