Benue ADC Governorship Candidate Visits Otukpo-Nobi, Condoles with Victims of Herdsmen Attack
The Benue State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Herman Hembe, has said that any government that fails to provide security for its people does not deserve the support of the citizens who elected it and should be voted out of office.
Hon. Hembe made the statement on Friday during a condolence visit to the people of Otukpo-Nobi over the gruesome killing of members of the community by suspected armed herders.
He said the killings in Benue State have become so frequent that the deaths of one, two, or three persons no longer make headlines, adding that even those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property appear unconcerned.
Addressing the people, he said:
“My people, your community has suffered what many other communities in Benue are suffering. No local government in Benue has been spared. Herdsmen are taking over our villages and settling there.”
He lamented that despite the persistent attacks, the state government continues to deny the reality of the situation.
“With all these happenings, what our governor does is deny. Why is a government in power denying what is happening to us and accusing us of the killings? Who are they trying to please with this kind of denial? Whose interests are they serving more than the interests of the people of Benue?” he asked.
According to Hembe, the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property.
“If a government is building flyovers while its people are being killed by herders, who are those flyovers being built for?” he queried.
He urged the people to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that the current administration would not return to power.
“They have failed at both the national and state levels,” he said.
Hembe further stated that under his administration, local governments would be adequately empowered to strengthen community security.
“In my government, the people of Otukpo will be able to protect themselves. Local governments will receive the necessary funds to acquire the tools needed to support their security efforts in collaboration with security agencies. I will ensure that funds meant for local governments are paid directly to them so they can effectively discharge their responsibilities.”
He called on the people to seize the opportunity for change and continue praying for the state to overcome the security challenges. He expressed confidence that God would use him to bring an end to the killings.
Earlier, the Benue State Chairman of the ADC, Hon. Samson Okwu, thanked everyone who joined the party in commiserating with the people of Otukpo-Nobi.
Hon. Okwu said it was difficult to believe that such incidents were still happening to Nigerians in their own country despite having elected leaders sworn to protect them.
He described the situation as a reflection of government incompetence, stating that only an incompetent administration would allow such a tragedy to occur. He advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to reconsider seeking re-election if he could not guarantee the safety of the people of Benue, adding that it was shameful for a governor to appear helpless in the face of mass killings.
He said the party had come to sympathize with the community during this period of grief.
Also speaking, the ADC senatorial candidate for Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C), Hon. David Olofu, said the delegation had come to commiserate with the community over the unfortunate incident. He urged the people to remain resolute and hopeful, assuring them that help was on the way.
The highlight of the visit was the observance of a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attack.
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