Be Ben Atonko
To control people, make them believe they are responsible for their own misery and present yourself as their saviour. — Noam Chomsky
The statement above by Noam Chomsky, the renowned American linguist, philosopher, and professor, is particularly relevant to this article.
It succinctly explains how the people of Benue State are being used as pawns in Governor Hyacinth Alia’s game of power politics.
Chomsky is known for his work in linguistics, philosophy, and social critique.
On assumption of office on May 29, 2023, Alia asserted himself independence — making the people believe that all former leaders were corrupt, ineffectual, anti-people and should be chased away.
He arrogated to himself the status of a messiah, one who has come to clear up all mess and lead the people to El Dorado.
He labeled political stakeholders as Unikoti (ubokoti for plural and bokoti for singular), a term implying people of no value, thieves, leeches, etc.
Alia opened up many battle fronts — with legislators, judges, his appointees, fellow politicians, clerics, youths, journalists, entertainers, social media bloggers, traditional rulers, and so forth.
He initiated or escalated conflicts or controversies, often in an aggressive or provocative manner.
After two years in office, Alia’s unbridled ambition to perpetuate himself in power has become manifest. Never in the history of Benue State has a governor been so consumed by power like Alia.
His true nature as a power-hungry man has been laid bare.
Now, he employs all kinds of tactics to enable him return to power after his four-year term in 2027.
His desperate measures can be ridiculous and childish.
Youths have been mobilized across the streets, fervently chanting No Alia No Benue, and have been known to attack anyone who dares to dissent.
A case was recently made against a supporter who after singing praises for Alia threatened attacks on anyone in the Alia local area who would dare to stand election against Alia in 2027.
Alia is incredibly insincere and he comes across as very fake.
The Alia who publicly denounced former governors and politicians as Ubokoti is now in cahoots with a former governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam who is answering corruption charges in court.
Not only the former governor. A former national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Barnabas Gemade and a monarch, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse are his close allies. Maybe they are no stakeholders, no ubokoti.
His words and actions don’t match; he’s very phony.
He has promised the youth huge financial gains in exchange for their support.
His supporters are harvesting phone numbers and voter card numbers from poorly educated voters, aiming to bribe them with what they euphemistically call Empowerment.
Indeed, Alia is doing a do-or-die politics.
Returning to the crux of this article…
To look good before the electorate, Alia has consistently branded politicians as evildoers.
He tells the people that he is the only one that has genuine love for them.
He blames past leaders and the people generally for their underdevelopment.
Another name he has given those who do not agree with him is Mbatsav (in his local Tiv language) meaning wizards/witches.
But a dispassionate comparison shows that the administration of former Governor George Akume did far more people-oriented projects in Benue State.
Akume who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, truly cared for the people and earned their love and respect.
Nicknamed The Just George for his loving and forgiving heart, he prioritized the welfare of Benue State citizens.
Unlike some leaders, he didn’t build skyscrapers for himself, but his goodwill resonates across Nigeria, a testament to his enduring legacy.
While Alia basks in the glory of others’ achievements, Akume’s contributions to Benue State’s infrastructure, including the construction of general hospitals, primary health centers and the state university teaching hospital, speak for themselves.
Alia has seen fit to emblazon his name and his mother’s on the teaching hospital structures, apparently to claim ownership or credit.
He has gone to the level of branding vehicles with his mother’s pictures, calling it Mama Alia Foundation.
Akume it was who opened up layouts in the Benue State capital, Makurdi, giving it a new look.
Places like Judges Quarters, Nyiman, New GRA, Owner-occuppier housing scheme and many township roads are what Alia sees every day yet he tells the people that all past governors only looted the state.
The immediate past governor of the state, Mr Samuel Ortom opened up Agbadu, Nyon, Yakyor layouts where Alia has parcels of land.
Alia would not appreciate all this. He chooses to insult his predecessors except one who has become his Personal Assistant.
He styles himself as a holy man, a paragon of virtue and beyond reproach.
Those amplifying Alia’s despoliation campaign should take heed.
Alia has no good plans. Alia will not pay the civil servants’ salaries if he gets a second term. He is no generous, no lover of the people.
After squandering a large amount of money he received from the federal government and the local revenue over the years, he has activated the borrowing machine.
Recently, he got the state assembly to hurriedly grant him approval to borrow a whooping N100 billion.
Seeking to improve his public image, he abruptly reversed course and ordered the reinstatement of local government workers he had sacked shortly after taking office in 2023.
Bringing them back into service after two years is an after thought. Not because he is kindhearted.
A good-natured person wouldn’t have laid them off in the first place, knowing the trouble that would have on countless dependents.
He recalled the sacked workers in order to secure his votes.
Alia is a very mean man — only looking out for himself and using these promises to manipulate people into supporting him.
Once he gets re-elected, he will forget about the people’s concerns and focus on his own self.
Cheerleaders, beware of the Ides of March.
An intense and unrelenting drive to secure power, if unchecked, can lead to destructive and unethical behaviour.
It’s time for Benue State people to see Alia’s true colours and treat him accordingly.
Atonko is a political analyst.
