From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The North Central All Progressive Congress (APC) Forum has accused Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, of not respecting the person and office of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and party leaders by not honouring the peace initiatives organized by the president to resolve the crisis in the Benue chapter of the party.
Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said in Jos that the actions of Governor Alia has been destabilizing the party and the state at large as well as his lack of respect for his political benefactor and other leaders.
The chairman said that was the height of disrespect for the president of the country, who is also the leader of the APC, which is the platform on which the governor won the 2023 election.
Besides, Zazzaga said, Governor Alia has also rejected all the attempts by stakeholders of the party, including federal legislators and the paramount ruler in the state, among others.
He said for the fact that the governor from the onset began to disrespect and quarrel with his political benefactor and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is an indication of his ingratitude, and that is biting the fingers that fed him.
Zazzaga stated, however, that the North Central APC will not fold its hands to allow the governor continue destabilizing the party in the state, which is in the North Central region, adding that if he doesn’t retrace his steps, several actions could be taken against him, which will be implemented accordingly.
“Governor Alia should remember that he did not win the governorship election on his own accord, but with the support of others. Therefore the governor needs to respect the APC leaders, the President the SGF and other party stakeholders.
“If the governor does not stop his unbecoming attitude towards the leaders of the party and towards the general interest of the party, he will begin to lose his strong footing and the support he has hitherto been enjoying from all and sundry across the party, since it was the party that produced him and not him that produced the party.
“Alia’s attitude is beginning to show that of outside interference, and even if it is the enemy of the party or opposition that has been instigating him, he should retrace his steps, otherwise the party can always look for his replacement.
“And should he want to join any party of forces that are instigating him against the APC, then he is free to leave and join them, rather than staying in the party and be causing problem. So far, the party is progressively getting together and thinking ahead, including supporting the policies of Mr President, which though momentarily painful, yet it is in the long run for the benefit of the nation.
“Also, among all the North Central governors of the APC, it is only the Benue State governor that is already doing things contrary and inimical to the interest of the party, and this will not be allowed. So he is strongly advised to retrace his steps now, “ he said.
