Benue: Bishop Joe Ichull Condemns Fr Alia’s Move To Reconcile With Killer Herdsmen
By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi.
Bishop Prophet Joe Ichull has berated Governor of Benue State Hyacinth Alia for wrongly making efforts to reconcile with Fulani herdsmen in the country.
The man of God who spoke on Tuesday on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party Scribe in Makurdi, Benue State.
Bishop Ichull who address the issues in Tiv speaking language does informed he was privy to have read thoroughly the blueprint which comprises of reconcilation and Coexistence.
He however restated there is no problem with any ethnic nationalities residing except occasionally we have issues with Jukuns but the matter would be resolved.
Recalling, as far as I am concerned there is no differences between him and Governor Fr Hyacinth Alia., stressing, prior to his emergence as governor, we were doing healing together.
His grouse is the support for Fulani herdsmen further stressing the blueprint as outline is aimed at reconciliation with indigenous people with desire to allow them coexist together in his view that’s the content.
The Bishop lamented many people were brutally massacre and killed by Suspected Fulani herdsmen, farm produce destroyed while houses were sat ablaze thousands were displaced their ancestral homes.
” Ichull further noted several Rev Frs including pastors were reportedly killed in Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau , Kaduna in his own State only two catholic priest were killed, wondering aloud whether Governor Alia is aware of these hegemonies cause by cattle rearers at all.
Some twenty years ago he spoke vehemently against the sale of Benue cement Company to outsider because it was the only federal presence we had.pointing out the state share was 25% he rally round behind some influential citizens to 25% additional share to make it 50% so that disparity wouldn’t be much FG75 % in the cement company.
His advice was turned deaf ears and the company was eventually sold to the highest bidder Alhaji Aliko Dangote as sole owner even the state share was equal sold same method.
” the irony of is that when there children graduates outside and returned to the country THEY Join the Bandwagon of those searching for white collar jobs supposed his advice is adhered to the problem could have been averted:
The prophet reafimed problem in the State were enormous particularly killing of innocent people by rampaging Fulani uprising yet Governor Alia appeared not be aware of problem conflicts at instance of Fulani cattle rearers.
Few weeks Governor Alia was invited in Kaduna to participate on programme of insecurity saying that is one of the worse bedeviling with insecurity challenges in the federation to his mind why associates with those people it portends nothing beneficial in our interest.
He challenged those “Yes father” supporters saying they following him blindly stressing when issues are butressed and their Governor Alia it would dawn that they are misformed suspected Fulani herdsmen killed innocent people over 30 thousands instead of him to implement the law to the latter his just playing games with people lives.
He boasted when time comes for election will tell his people who to vote denouncing emphatically that certainly not Governor Hyacinth Alia.
He recalled in the last General election i did run for governorship unfortunately it was zone to Vandeikya where Alia originally belong, no qualms with him but his romance Fulani people left so much to desired.
When he made his intention known many were not comfortable especially he respected most saying come sun or sunshine he will not retrieve his position am looking for money from anybody. But am looking for money God say he should made known his feelings.
Several attempts to obtained clarification from the chief press Secretary CPS to Governor Alia Mr.Tersoo Kula on the development were futile as his mobile phone rang engaged at the time filling this report.
