In a strategic move to consolidate peace and unity in Benue State, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia paid a private visit on Tuesday morning to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at his residence in Abuja.
The meeting, which comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the security situation in the state, was described by insiders as cordial, symbolic, and forward-looking. Governor Alia, in a post on X by Governnor Alia Media Centre declared that “peace is non-negotiable in Benue,” signaling a strong commitment to work with all stakeholders to end the prolonged crises affecting various parts of the state.
This visit follows earlier engagements between Governor Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where the federal government pledged full support for peace initiatives in Benue, particularly following the May 2024 killings in Yelewata and surrounding communities that left over 100 people dead. In that meeting, President Tinubu had ordered the formation of a peace committee to include federal, state, and traditional leaders, and tasked the security agencies with bringing perpetrators to justice.
Since taking office, Governor Alia has worked to restore security in conflict-affected areas, successfully reducing the number of local governments under siege from 17 to just three. This progress has been widely acknowledged and attributed to improved synergy between the state and federal governments.
Senator Akume, a former governor of Benue and a highly influential figure in national politics, has consistently expressed support for the Alia administration and peacebuilding efforts in the state. His position as SGF places him at the center of key federal decisions, making his collaboration essential for sustainable peace and development in Benue.
Stakeholders believe the meeting between the governor and the SGF is not only a reunion of two Benue sons but a strategic alliance necessary to rally political will, federal support, and grassroots engagement towards permanent peace.
Traditional rulers, security agencies, and civil society groups have already been incorporated into the ongoing process of reconciliation, resettlement, and conflict prevention. Plans are also in motion to implement ranching solutions, a long-term strategy to address the farmer-herder clashes that have devastated the state for years.
Governor Alia’s visit to Akume is being interpreted as a major turning point in the state's peace trajectory, uniting political leadership and federal machinery in pursuit of a shared vision: a safe, stable, and prosperous Benue.
For more details from Alia media center check this out.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CMvzbBxCL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
X.com
https://x.com/gamediacentre/status/1937790781269389664?s=46
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