From Winnie Onu, Makurdi
A former aspirant for the 2023 Benue governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Ityoachimin, has asked Governor Hyacinth Alia to resign over his alleged failure to protect the lives of citizens from the attacks by suspected armed herders.
Ityoachimin made the call over the weekend during a condolence visit to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where a recent deadly attack reportedly claimed over 200 lives.
He said the governor’s continuous silence and inaction in the face of these massacres point to complicity and gross incompetence.
“The governor came unprepared. He lacks the political will and experience to govern, and it shows in his nonchalant attitude toward the plight of our people. He should resign now before more lives are lost. We cannot continue like this,” he stated.
The ex-governorship aspirant lamented that the signs of the attack were visible even to non-security actors, yet no preventive action was taken by the state government.
“This is clear negligence. When a government can’t secure its people, it loses the moral and constitutional right to lead,” he added.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, Ityoachimin said the party remains the only credible platform for his ambition, adding that his commitment to serve stems from a passion to restore security and good governance in the state.
He, however, praised President Bola Tinubu for his empathy and leadership, commending him for cutting short his trip to Kaduna to visit Benue.
“President Tinubu didn’t just issue directives but he came down himself to commiserate with us. That shows leadership,” he noted.
Ityoachimin donated relief materials to the displaced residents and encouraged them to remain resilient in the face of repeated unprovoked attacks.
In his remarks, the District Head of the community, Tyoor Bernard Shawa, appreciated Ityoachimin’s visit and support, describing it as a gesture of genuine concern in a time of grief.
