An unhealthy political cloud has enveloped the politics of Benue State as we speak. While someone may not be interested in apportioning the blames on any party to the development, it is equally of great essence to place it on the records that, in an atmosphere of rancour, things fall apart rapidly. The ties that ninds, even as they appear to be in larger quantum, have now been jettisoned and some primordial sentiments are radicalised.
However, the time for political gladiators to heal Benue State is now. Benue State was plagued by some level of insecurity which thwarted all efforts to place her in a position where it can compete favourably with her peers. But since the inauguration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia , as the 6th democratically elected Governor of the state, on 29th May, 2023, relative peace have returned to the state. This is heartwarming and cheering. We need to build a great capital on this prevailing scenario and galvanise all efforts to chat the course of a new developmental pattern.
It is time for all political parties and individuals to put their differences aside and work together with the Governor in the saddle to bring about actions, policies, programmes and projects that will bring about an assured mutual prosperity, giving that he has began well, according to fillers, and nobility of expressions. Some of the projects within six months of his Leadership, are glaring for our comprehension.
Healing Benue state requires a collective effort from all political gladiators. They must set aside personal interests and prioritize the needs of the people. This means putting an end to political vehemence. It also means focusing on developmental strides that will benefit the people and improve their quality of life.
This is the time to engage in a dialogue to address the root causes of the heat they have needlessly generated in Benue state. This could involve constructively discussing imagined issues hovering on an alleged political marginalization. By understanding and addressing these underlying issues, they can work towards long-term solutions that will foster peace and stability in the state.
In the first place, what really does all the sides of the divide want? We must start by interrogating our conscience from this viewpoint and then accelerate into other areas of common concerns.
Furthermore, there is every need to work towards promoting inclusivity and unity among the diverse communities in Benue state. This can be done through initiatives that encourage dialogue and the spirit of sportsmanship,
Healing Benue state also involves implementing policies that seeks to eliminate the bad governance that slipped the state into a comma. This is a pivotal effort towards restoring sanity, law and order and will go a long way to protect the sanctity of our collective existence.
Those who seek to make a political capital from this situation where brothers are fighting themselves in order to retain dominance must first and foremost desist from this drift forth with.
In saner climes, key players does exists and actually do play a crucial role in resolving political tensions and other issues related thereto. These array and various layers of stakeholders include politicians, government officials, community leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the general public.
Development-oriented political stakeholders must swing into action by acting as mediators in resolving the brouhaha by facilitating dialogue and negotiations between different political parties or factions. They can help create a conducive environment for dialogue and strive to find a common ground.
It is now the best time for all the stakeholders and indeed the gatekeepers of our society to use their influence, wealth of experience, and resources to advocate for efforts that will foster peaceful existence that accounts for a redirection of efforts and elimination of both the centripetal and centrifugal conjugations. They need to speak out, not necessarily, to apportion blames, name and shame anyone, but to promote a healthy conversation at a time like now that such is needed. Diplomacy should be the focal point in this instance.
Political stakeholders must now embark on a mission to rekindle the trust, reunite and work towards building a lasting legacy of selfless service by showing good examples to the teeming younger generation that is keenly watching and documenting their outings. They must work assiduously to heal our land and re-unite for a common objective-develop a human capital base. Too much heat is not good for Benue state.
Our stakeholders must and can play a role in ensuring that all relevant parties are involved in the reconfiguration process. This includes marginalized groups, such as women, youth, and minority communities. By promoting inclusivity and participation, political stakeholders can help to address grievances and build a more friendly and participatory space.
It sinks badly when those who are vertically and horizontally placed in places of responsibility turnaround and start playing the roles of the devil’s advocates. An abrupt deviation from this malpractice will salvage the situation and rededicate our energy into more productive ventures. Benue State is not known to be a ‘wide wide state’. It is time for the “Critical Stakeholders”, and indeed, all the first class Chiefs, who have seen it all, to step up their games.
Good enough, most of this honourable and distinguished personalities have already spoken on the news to give His Excellency a level-playing ground for him to steer the affairs of the state. Those who haven’t done so are enjoined to follow suit. This is the least of the duties that they owe Benue state at the moment.
Overall, no political elder need not promote any form of negative energy. It is important that each and everyone of them refrains from recruiting jobbers to escalate issues and elevate them out of proportion. Through mediation, advocacy, reconciliation efforts, mutual respect, inclusivity, monitoring, and promoting good governance, they can contribute to much needed long-term peace and tranquility that we crave for in the state.
Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media.
