Shift In Narrative By Governor Alia Sparks Questions About Political Influences And True Causes Of Violence [VIDEO]

 

Benue State has become the center of intense scrutiny following Governor Hyacinth Alia’s public statements this year. Back in April 2025, Alia described the situation as coordinated attacks, planned invasions, and killings executed along religious lines. Recent remarks, however, suggest a dramatic shift in how he frames the violence, prompting many to question the reasons behind the change.

During April, the governor confirmed that numerous corpses were recovered from affected communities following attacks he blamed on heavily armed herdsmen. He pleaded for the federal government’s urgent support, emphasizing that Benue needed immediate assistance rather than a formal state of emergency. Residents were warned against taking matters into their own hands and encouraged to provide intelligence to security forces.

Alia’s language at the time was forceful and religiously charged. He insisted that the violence was not random, but deliberately planned and executed along faith lines, describing the attackers as terrorists. The governor repeatedly urged decisive federal intervention, portraying the attacks as an occupation threatening the very fabric of the state.

In recent weeks, Alia appears to have recalibrated his narrative. On national platforms, he acknowledged the attacks involved a “directed calibrated plan,” but now emphasized political motivations over religious ones. He alleged that some serving members of the National Assembly were backing the violence and claimed his judicial panel had indicted prominent figures for funding and facilitating the attacks.

Alia stressed that these were not ordinary herder–farmer clashes, describing the perpetrators as specialized killers who strike under cover of darkness, evade capture, and disappear without trace. Politics, rather than faith, now takes center stage in his explanation.

This shift has sparked public debate. Critics ask why Alia initially described the attacks as religiously executed only to later frame them as politically motivated. Some observers argue the adjustment may aim to broaden appeal for support and pressure implicated political actors, while others caution it risks diluting the urgency of his original warnings.

Religious organizations have continued to call for decisive federal intervention, describing the killings as a national tragedy. Meanwhile, Alia’s critics and political rivals continue pressing him to disclose the alleged backers identified in his panel’s report.

As the governor’s narrative evolves, Benue residents and the broader public are left with difficult questions, demanding clarity and accountability regarding both the attacks and those responsible.