By Akinwale Kasali
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has ordered his predecessors in office to shut up if they have nothing positive to offer his administration for the development of the State and the people.
He said their criticism, without offering any solution is mere distraction. He urged them to allow him concentrate on governance and fulfill his promises to the people of the State.
Alia stressed that that the past Governors throwing jibes and plotting to put his administration into disrepute had their opportunity to better the State when they were in the saddle and appealed to them to allow the State have peace.
He said this while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Benue Riders Coalition for Alia and other groups who came to welcome him back to the state after his working visit to the United States of America. He said his Government would not relent in its commitment to the wellbeing of the people.
He, also, cautioned those he said were in the habit of addressing Benue youths as thugs, and said it is totally unacceptable and demanded a public apology from those making the derogatory comment.
The Governor advised people of the State to prioritise their security saying his administration would soon establish a call centre with dedicated phone numbers where calls of security threats or breaches could be made for necessary action.
He said security was the responsibility of everyone and people must act as such by providing necessary information where there are security threats or breaches.
He also cautioned the people against selling out to the enemies or encouraging the perpetration of crimes in the various communities, and added: “don’t let anyone get you cowed into aiding perpetrators of any act that will destabilize the state.
“That would be totally unacceptable, and if we get to know such a person within any community, the person is going to face the music.
“ Our people can not settle for less. They knew who they were voting into power. They knew I am a man of peace and I will do my best to ensure that peace prevails in the state because I know what peace can do for all of us.
“ This is why I cannot accept a situation where anyone, irrespective of who he or she is, would create unnecessary trouble in the state.
“ Even if you are a former governor of Benue State, if you don’t have anything positive to contribute to Benue, shut up, because you did your part during your terms and it is over so you must give peace a chance and allow this administration to fully establish and carry out what we promised the people.
“If you are in the state, know exactly what you are saying. Criticisms both on me and my administration are very much welcome but check and verify your facts before putting them out to the public bearing in mind that words have consequences.
“ My administration is poised to bring the desired gmonstrated from day one and there is no stopping on that at all.”
