Benue State Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia has hit back at former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, accusing him of making “unwarranted” attacks against the governor and meddling in Benue politics.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, described Kwankwaso’s outburst against Fr. Alia as an “unfortunate and unwarranted insult” that would do little to advance constructive political discourse.
Sir Kula said Kwankwaso’s anger was linked to the recent visit of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to Benue, alleging that Mr. Obi was brought into the state without proper coordination and that the subsequent controversy was designed to portray Alia in a bad light.
The statement accused Senator Kwankwaso of failing to understand the political dynamics of the region, saying it was “compelled to wonder” whether he understood the politics of Benue if he believed the governor had disrupted Obi’s visit.
Sir Kula also warned Senator Kwankwaso against commenting on the relationship between Fr. Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urging the former Kano governor to concentrate on political challenges in his home state.
“Kwankwaso should face Kano politics,” the statement declared, accusing him of having more pressing political issues to address, including what it described as his party’s poor performance in recent by-elections in Kano.
The governor’s spokesman said Benue people were capable of judging their government and determining their political future, insisting that Alia’s mandate, having been secured through election, should be respected irrespective of political differences.
He challenged Senator Kwankwaso to offer ideas rather than insults, saying the former Kano governor should respect the mandate of Benue voters and refrain from interfering in the state’s internal affairs.
