Benue: Gov Alia under fire over disruption of thanksgiving service at NKST

The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the recent arbitrary banning and disruption of thanksgiving services and peaceful gatherings by appointees of Governor Hyacinth Alia and local government chairmen in the state.

The condemnation came in response to the attempted disruption of a thanksgiving service held in honor of Senator Titus Zam, who represents Benue North West, at NKST Naka in Gwer West Local Government Area on Sunday.

The attempt to interrupt the service was reportedly orchestrated by the council chairman, Victor Torsaa Ormim.

In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the PDP described the action as a blatant violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of worship, a fundamental aspect of democracy. The statement read:

“We consider this a blatant violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of worship, a fundamental tenet of our democracy. This sacrilegious aberration appears to have become a pattern since the beginning of this administration.”

The PDP also referenced several past incidents where similar actions had been taken by government officials. On May 12, 2024, the former Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha Local Government, Philip Achua, and his associates disrupted a thanksgiving mass at the Annunciation Catholic Rectory in Tsuwe Daka, Konshisha, which was held in honor of Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher, a member of the House of Representatives.

This incident was reportedly supervised by then-Caretaker Chairman Achua and Aondowase Kunde, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in Benue State.

In another instance, a few weeks later, Achua and thugs attempted to prevent a thanksgiving service in honor of Dr. Mathias Byuan at NKST Agidi, Konshisha, but were met with resistance from the local community, and the service went ahead as planned.

Further attempts to halt thanksgiving events in the state included an effort on June 30, 2024, by then-Caretaker Chairman of Guma Local Government, Unongo Simon, to stop a thanksgiving and church fundraising event at NKST Daudu in Guma. Despite the disruption attempt, security was provided, and the event continued successfully.

On July 26, 2024, a similar incident occurred at NKST Ihugh in Vandeikya Local Government Area, where the local chairman, Dennis Guda, ordered the cancellation of a church service where Senator Emmanuel Udende was the special guest. Prior to this, on July 5, 2024, Guda, along with thugs, disrupted the 40th Priestly Anniversary of Rev. Monsignor Michael Nyitor Buter at the Divine Providence Rectory in Vandeikya.

The PDP expressed concern that these disruptions have become a recurring issue under the current administration, calling for an end to what they termed “democratic despotism.” The statement further stressed that the people of Benue have the fundamental right to celebrate their blessings and express gratitude to God without fear of governmental interference.

The party urged Benue citizens to remain vigilant and united in defending their rights and preserving democracy in the state.