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The worsening insecurity in Benue State has sparked serious concerns, with a federal lawmaker pointing fingers at the state’s leadership for sidelining key voices in the fight against violence.
Hon. Terseer Ugbor, who represents Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, didn’t mince words during his appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme. He laid the blame squarely on what he described as a lack of coordination and political inclusiveness from Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration — despite both men being members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Ugbor, the silence between the state government and federal lawmakers is deafening — and dangerous.
“There’s been little to no synergy,” Ugbor lamented. “Since my election, I’ve not once been invited by the governor for any form of dialogue — not even as my constituency battles some of the most brutal security threats in the state.”
The lawmaker revealed he’s made efforts to bridge the communication gap, reaching out and even requesting an audience, but to no avail. “I’ve asked to be invited, I’ve reached out multiple times. Meanwhile, I’ve tried to support my people by lobbying NEMA for relief materials,” he said.
Ugbor further criticized the governor’s tendency to exclude National Assembly members from crucial stakeholder meetings and security committees — gatherings he believes are essential to formulating a united front against the violent incursions plaguing the state.
“Recently, a security committee was set up, and once again, none of us in the National Assembly were invited. It’s as though the government doesn’t see our relevance in this fight for our people’s safety.”
He painted a grim picture of the situation on the ground, noting that armed herdsmen have taken over more than 40 percent of Benue’s farmland, displacing thousands and disrupting agricultural activities.
In recent weeks, communities in Ukum and Logo local government areas were hit by devastating attacks believed to be carried out by herdsmen — incidents that left more than 50 people dead and homes in ashes.
In the aftermath, Governor Alia visited the affected areas and called on the Federal Government to step in, condemning the bloodshed and urging security agencies to intensify their efforts.
Yet, to Ugbor, the governor’s public appeals ring hollow if state-level coordination continues to shut out key stakeholders.
“You can’t fight insecurity in isolation. We need unity, not politics,” Ugbor stressed.
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