Benue’s Political Conundrum: It’ll Always Crash If Not Built On Justice…

“Complicit and indeed worse offenders in this conspiracy to destroy Benue State is the (elite) political class which appears only interested in exploiting the situation for economic gain. The more the crisis deepens, the more often they smile to the bank”.

BY SAM ADZEGEH

Since the coming on board of Rev. Hyacinth Alia as Governor May 2023, it has become obvious that, like adherents to ‘omerta’, the dreaded secret oath of the Sicilian Mafia, most discerning members of the Bernie society have progressively restrained from public discourse on political developments in the State.

As things stand, Benue is caught in a fierce battle between two major political groups, two centrifugal forces working against each other with sworn intent on self-destruction, possibly with the entire state along with them.

To the discerning the current clash of egos between Benue’s two topmost politicians, is a disaster long foretold.

Since Alia emerged on the political horizon as possible Benue Governor (given the open support of the Akume Dajoh household) in the pre-2023 election period, discerning commentators predicted the inevitability of the clash, based on the antecedents of the two.

On one divide stands Alia and his almost fanatical followers, mostly of Christian (Catholic) faith. Alia, a young clergyman who, in the 1990s through his very popular healing masses, captured the imagination of Benue masses and whose posturing as a messianic saviour of Benue State has earned him an almost cultic followership among youth who are mesmerized by his personality as a reverend gentleman.

On the other side is the fatherly and mercuric personality of the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), His Excellency, Senator George Akume, who by virtue of his commendable contributions to Benue’s development, long standing and widely renown generosity, many believe is today the leader of the ruling party in the middle belt. Akume commands an equally intimidating followership across Benue State and beyond.

The clash of egos between the two is only likely to end in the run up to the 2027 Governorship race, and shall surely mark the political eclipse of one or both of them. Some even are of the opinion that Alia may not last that long in the Makurdi Government House, given the sudden emergence of one Mathias Byuan on the scene.

Right from the outcome of the APC (non)primaries in 2023, it was obvious that the marriage of convenience between godfather and godson was ordained to self destruct, sooner or later, especially given the reputation of the godson for ‘contumacy’ as stated by his own Bishop.

What is playing out in Benue State today is a vindication of the opinion that any structure built on a false foundation, and which enjoys no support from God shall not stand the test of time.

Today, it is painful and sad that the marriage of two ‘gods’ from two kingdoms – the political and the religious – which ordinarily should have spelt peace and brought immense development to this State that has suffered so much at the hands of clueless and criminal leaderships, is digging even deeper into shame and opprobrium.

Regretfully, and because of this confrontation, Benue has today become the source of the basest and most distasteful news on Facebook and other, even less reputable, channels of communication. Contending groups fall over themselves to sponsor ill educated hagiographers of every persuasion in a bid to drag down even respected leaders as well as commentators on the Benue phenomenon, (no matter how neutral or balanced their views or how noble their intentions).

Young ones are being encouraged to destroy their own future through open insults on persons old and knowledgeable enough to be their parents and mentors. This is the reason for the resounding silence from persons whose informed and conscientious interventions may have contributed to resolving the incendiary issues. This group, forced into self-imposed silence, apportions equal blame in the unfolding imbroglio to both Akume and Alia. The group believes that the former deserves all that he is getting from the State Governor for having breached all rules of human decency to foist the latter on the Benue populace while the other believes that Governor Alia cannot have peace for the open betrayal of Akume’s trust in bringing him to power by hooks, crooks or other unsavoury means. According to a popular coinage, “Ve fese kwagh u a fese ve yo”.

Complicit and indeed worse offenders in this conspiracy to destroy Benue State is the (elite) political class which appears only interested in exploiting the situation for economic gain. The more the crisis deepens, the more often they smile to the bank.

Also complicit, though unwittingly, are the masses who, powered by the pangs of hunger caused by unemployment and no plans by Benue leaders to meaningfully engage them economically, are forced to join the hallelujah chorus of anyone who can put bread on their table, even in the shortest interim.

It is against this backdrop that I pity any young one who deceives him or herself to be used as cannon fodder in this battle of Giants. Politicians have a way of resolving their differences in the final analysis. Poor folk like you and I will not be around in the U.S., Abuja or any place where they chuckle, clink glasses and tell one another that after all, “it is only a matter of interest”. Ask Alia/Gemade, or Akume/Ortom.

Lesson: anything not built on justice and the fear of God cannot stand; God is not mocked.

…Adzegeh, CEO, One-Stop Media Consultants, writes from Kaduna.