The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Benue State Chapter, has firmly rejected calls for a state of emergency in Benue, emphasizing instead the need for unity and support for Governor Hyacinth Alia as the state grapples with security challenges.

This position comes in response to recent appeals by some Catholic priests, also under the CBCN umbrella, who had urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency due to worsening insecurity in the region.

Bishops Stand Behind Governor Alia

During a press conference held in Makurdi on Saturday, the State Overseer of the Charismatic Bishops, Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyegh, described the calls for emergency rule as "unnecessary and counterproductive."

According to Archbishop Nyoonkyegh, Governor Alia, being a man of faith and a fellow clergyman, deserves spiritual backing and encouragement from religious leaders rather than demands for federal intervention.

"Governor Hyacinth Alia is our brother in the vineyard. As true men of God, our duty is to protect and support him. What Benue needs now is not a state of emergency but unity, cooperation, and prayer to overcome its challenges," the Archbishop stated.

The Archbishop expressed concerns that invoking emergency powers could strip the state of its leadership, potentially worsening the already fragile security situation. He referenced the scenario in Rivers State, where a sole administrator from outside the state was appointed following a political impasse.

Call for Unity and Prayer

Quoting biblical scripture, Nyoonkyegh reminded fellow clerics that "all authority comes from God" and urged them to remain submissive to duly constituted leadership.

"When you have a son and a brother doing his best in the Lord's vineyard, the right response is, 'Brother, keep going,'" he said. "Fr. Alia is doing his best under tough conditions. We must continue to pray for him, not fight him."

The situation highlights growing concerns over insecurity in Benue State, which Governor Alia himself has described as "terrorism" rather than mere farmer-herder conflicts. Despite these challenges, the Charismatic Bishops maintain that the solution lies in supporting existing leadership rather than seeking federal intervention.

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