THE Governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 general elections in Benue state , Chief Micheal Kaase Aondoakaa has accused the Benue state Governor, Fr Hyacinth Alia of resorting to criminalizing opposition instead of confronting rising insecurity in the state .

The former Attorney General of the Federation and minister of Justice also described as shameful,  that a government under whose watch communities are repeatedly invaded, farmers displaced, and innocent people killed now considers criticism of its woeful performance a greater threat than the criminals unleashing terror across the state.

In a statement by his media assistant James Lan, the Governorship candidate expressed disappointment that the state Government has displayed baffling incompetence and ineptitude in  governance .

The statement said : “Our attention has been drawn to the desperate and reckless statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, in which the Benue State Government abandoned the solemn duty of confronting insecurity and instead resorted to chasing imaginary political enemies.

“The statement is nothing more than a public confession that this administration has exhausted ideas and is now searching for scapegoats to explain its catastrophic failure to protect the lives and property of Benue people.

“Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has done nothing more than exercise his constitutional right, and indeed his moral obligation, to demand greater commitment from those who receive huge monthly security votes and are entrusted with the safety of Benue people. In every functioning democracy, governments are held accountable for their performance. That is not politicization; it is the essence of democratic governance.

“The attempt to portray legitimate criticism as sponsorship of violence is not only irresponsible but dangerously reckless. If the Benue State Government possesses any credible evidence against Chief Aondoakaa or any other citizen, it should present such evidence to the appropriate authorities instead of engaging in media trials and political propaganda.

“No amount of blackmail can substitute for security. No press statement can erase the painful reality confronting our people daily.

“The Governor’s spokesman claimed that the administration has provided logistics, intelligence, motivation and coordination for security agencies. If those efforts have been so effective, why do attacks continue with frightening regularity? Why are communities still being overrun? Why are thousands of Benue people unable to return safely to their ancestral homes? These are the questions the government should answer, instead of attacking those demanding results.”

The statement continued, “even more bizarre is the suggestion that opposition leaders should be investigated merely because they criticized government failures. Such a dangerous reasoning has no place in a constitutional democracy.
“Today, it is Chief Aondoakaa; tomorrow it could be any other Benue person who dares to question those in power.

“Alia and his government should stop intimidating law abiding citizens.”

The statement emphasized that the same administration preaching against the “politicization of tragedy” has itself converted every security failure into a public relations exercise, issuing lengthy attacks on political opponents while families continue to bury their loved ones.

“Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa will not be intimidated into silence. He will continue to speak for displaced farmers, grieving families, frightened communities and every Benue man and woman who believes that government exists first and foremost to protect lives.

“Rather than wasting public resources on inflammatory political statements, Governor Alia’s administration should channel its energy towards ending the bloodshed that has become an unbearable burden on our people.”