Disruption of thanksgiving service: Benue PDP accuses Alia of high-handedness

The Benue State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the arbitrary banning and incessant disruption of thanksgiving services and peaceful assembly by appointees of Governor Hyacinth Alia and local government chairmen in the state.

The condemnation followed Sunday’s attempts to disrupt a thanksgiving service in honour of the senator representing Benue North West, Titus Zam, at NKST Naka, Gwer West LGA, by the council chairman, Victor Torsaa Ormim.

PDP condemned the development in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary of the party,Tim Nyor.

The statement reads: “We consider this a blatant violation of citizen’s rights to freedom of worship, a fundamental tenet of our democracy.

“This sacrilegious aberration appears to have become a pattern since the beginning of this administration.

“You will recall that, on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, the former Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha local government, Mr Philip Achua, in company of thugs invaded and disrupted a thanksgiving mass at the Annunciation Catholic Rectory, in Tsuwe Daka, Konshisha Local Government Area,in honour of the member representing Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher.

“This attack was supervised by the then caretaker chairman and the Commissioner for Humanitarian And Disaster Management, Benue State, Aondowase Kunde.

“Few weeks later, in same Konshisha, the former caretaker chairman of Konshisha local government, Philip Achua in company of thugs attempted to stop a thanksgiving service in honour of Dr. Mathias Byuan at NKST Agidi, Konshisha local government but was heavily resisted by the people and the thanksgiving was eventually held.

“On the 30th June, 2024, the then Caretaker Chairman for Guma Local Government, Unongo Simon, attempted to stop a thanksgiving/ church building fund raising service at NKST Daudu in Guma local government, where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and former governor of the state, Senator George Akume was billed to be the Special Guest.

“We are all aware that all efforts to stop the thanksgiving failed as security was provided and the thanksgiving /fund raising went on successfully to the glory of God.

“Again on July 26th, 2024, a church service at NKST Ihugh, Vandeikya local government, where the Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Udende was a special guest, was called-off and no service was held at the church on that faithful Sunday, on the orders of the then Caretaker Chairman of Vandeikya local government, now executive chairman of the local government, Mr Dennis Guda.

“Before the ugly incident at NKST Ihugh, on July 5th, 2024, same Dennis Guda, in the company of thugs invaded and violently disrupted proceedings at the 40th Priestly Anniversary/Church Building and Celebration of Papal Award Of Monsignor for Rev. Monsignor Michael Nyitor Buter, held at the Divine Providence Rectory, Bebe in Vandeikya Local Government of Benue State.

“The Executive Director, Housing, Finance and Accounts of Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Dr. Mathias Ibyuan, was at the anniversary/celebration in his personal capacity and as well as in representative capacity of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

“This trend must stop.
The people of Benue have the fundamental right to celebrate their blessings and express their gratitude to God without fear of governmental interference .

“We call upon all citizens to stand firm against this democratic despotism. ”

The party urged all Benue citizens to remain vigilant and united in protecting democracy and their fundamental rights.