By Ikeddy ISIGUZO
REV Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia, PhD, is an otherwise gentleman that could have leaned on establishing the security of his people for his second term. He would have none of that.
The Catholic priest from Vandeikya has chosen obeisance to Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the people of Benue who terrorists, bandits, marauders and Fulani herders kill in numbers that have been implicated as genocidal. Alia is happy as long as Abuja is happy with him.
Happier is Alia at anything that hints that Abuja will vote for him. Where do the people come into Alia’s calculations. In George Akume, former Governor, former Senator, and Tinubu’s Secretary to Government of the Federation, Alia sees a power base beyond his immediate reach. He has to fight it.
Benue people used to love Alia when claims that his prayers cured the ill trailed him. He has quickly lost his healing power and the people.
What has Tinubu done for Benue where the paralysing problem is insecurity? Nothing. When more than 200 people were killed in Yelewata on 13-14 June 2025, Tinubu visited but the only change was that the attacks worsened.
The Benue State Government insists Obi breached protocol by not informing Alia he was visiting the State while on the same hand said it was not involved in disrupting Obi’s convoy.
An APC chieftain Dominic Alancha says he does not believe Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia needs to be notified about Peter Obi’s visit to the State. He maintained that Obi, like other Nigerians, has the right to visit Benue.
Samuel Ioraer Ortom, Alia’s predecessor accused the priest of being aware of the attack on Obi and asked him to prove his innocence.
“Can he come out and swear by the Bible that he claims to be a reverend priest and say that he was not aware of what happened? It was a deliberate attempt. He did it,” Ortom alleged.
“I condemn what happened. It is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue and sympathise with those people whose people were killed,” he said.
“This man is not coming in his interest is coming to see your people. But because you have told the world that there are no IDPs anymore in Benue, you don’t want a Peter Obi or any other person to visit the IDPs because they will expose the lie that you have put out there,” Dr. Terver Akase, media consultant to Ortom extended reasons for Alia’s anger.
Alia considers loyalty to Tinubu the entire reason for existence hence one of the grave offences against Ortom was providing the vehicle that rescued Obi from the mob.
The Alia camp berated Ortom for divided loyalty to Tinubu as evidenced by his assistance to Obi.
Obi’s recent visit is being discussed in isolation whereas it is the second time Alia has acted in this manner – against Obi. In April 2025 the Governor told Obi he was not welcome in Benue. Obi had then informed the Governor of his proposed visit to IDP camps.
Unknown to many, Alia does not like to discuss insecurity for Tinubu would be indicted. Alia’s IDP camps are so poorly run that he is ashamed of having people visit them.
Alia, of course, knows that those IDP camps knock his humanity. The sanitary conditions are deplorable, no running water, no schools and health facilities. Government officials reportedly keep food and relief materials meant for the camps.
When some journalists visited Makurdi earlier in the year, conversations were stirred away from insecurity and not even assurance that stories from IDP camps could draw attention and assistance to the plight of camp residents was of interest to Alia.
He would rather show off the production of his Zeva beer then the inhuman conditions in which, Benue people displaced by the brutal killings in their lands, live.
Alia dreads losing the 2027 election more than the reality that his fears are dragging Benue to where it should not be, with a Tinubu, whose only concern is winning a second term, by all means necessary.
Tinubu and Alia share a desperation that should not be allowed to define our democracy.
Finally…
.OVER two weeks after he mouthed his discovery about contractors’ failure, Distinguished David Umahi has learnt to keep quiet. Tinubu’s performing Minister watches as road after road is collapsing and travellers spending days for journeys that used to be completed within a day. Nobody is asking Umahi to resign. He should work.
.A 71-vehicle convoy led Mrs Remi Tinubu in her visits to Anambra State where she got a traditional title of Oso Di Eme – literarily the supporter of her husband’s agenda. Very apt for we know what the husband does.
.THE Clerk of the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, sad after consultations between the Leadership of both Chambers, “the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice. It is “a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.” We could do more.
.MUHAMMAD Musa appointed as a member of the New Media Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee for the 2027 has rejected the appointment.
“I hereby categorically and emphatically reject this so-called appointment for this reason,” Musa stated.
“I will use my energy to marketing (sic) who promises to restore the petrol subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidency.
“I am not among the citizens who defend the people who created their suffering.”
There more things to reject about Tinubu?
.MY apologies to Vice President Kashim Shettima who, quoting Datti Baba-Ahmed, I accused of not wearing the Tinubu on the instructions of his marabouts. Pictures of him with the said cap are all over the social media. No marabouts were in sight.
.THE National Assembly will resume by 29 September when repairs in both Chambers are concluded. Dr. (Mrs.) Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senators’ Wives Association of Nigeria, SEWAN, recently led engineers and technicians – electrical, ICT, audio-visual and building maintenance experts to assess the fault, said Dr. Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organisations. Nigerians should be grateful to Dr. Akpabio for her intervention. People opposed to Obong Akpabio’s rising star had alleged the crowd Mrs Akpabio brought to the National Assembly were marabouts hence Dr. Tafida needed to make the clarification without saying if Mrs. Akpabio was a National Assembly maintenance contractor or consultant.
ISIGUZO is a major commentator on minor issues
