The Benue State Government has firmly rejected a petition calling for the declaration of a state of military emergency in the state, describing it as "hypocritical, politically motivated and intellectually dishonest."

The petition, authored by Professor Sebastine Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had urged federal authorities to impose military rule in Benue due to alleged security challenges, particularly related to herdsmen attacks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, accused the senior advocate of "dragging his professional titles into ridicule while peddling a misleading narrative about the security situation in Benue."

Inconsistent Logic in Petition

Kula pointed out a fundamental contradiction in Professor Hon's lengthy essay titled "Petition to Declare a State of Military Emergency in Benue State." He noted that while the professor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for improved security in some northern states, he unfairly blamed Governor Alia for insecurity in Benue, despite the fact that the President remains the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

"It is pure hypocrisy to acknowledge the president's efforts in other states while faulting a governor who does not command any federal security agency. The professor stumbled upon his own logic," Kula stated.

Government's Security Efforts

According to the statement, Governor Alia has implemented "a range of proactive and multifaceted efforts" to address insecurity challenges in the state. The government spokesperson expressed dismay that a person of Professor Hon's academic and legal standing would "resort to peddling outdated videos and political propaganda just to gain relevance."

Kula further accused the senior lawyer of "chasing political crumbs" by aligning with external interests to undermine the state government's security initiatives.

"In Benue, there are serious-minded professors and legal practitioners who are genuinely committed to truth and justice. Sadly, Prof. Sebastine isn't one of them," he added.

Call for Professional Review

In a remarkable escalation, the statement called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to consider reviewing the SAN title conferred on Professor Sebastine, warning that his actions risk bringing the legal profession into disrepute.

"We scoured his verbose letter in vain for any sound legal justification for a military emergency in Benue. What we found instead was a poorly disguised political smear campaign," Kula concluded.

The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding security challenges in Benue State, which has faced persistent issues related to herdsmen attacks over recent years, and the political dimensions that often complicate responses to these security concerns.