Popular comedian Efe Warriboy has strongly criticized Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for declaring Wednesday, June 18, a public holiday to welcome President Bola Tinubu amid widespread mourning over the recent Yelewata massacre.
BenriNews reported that the Benue State government, in a statement released on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Ambe, declared Wednesday a public holiday to honor Tinubu during his one-day visit to the state and urged residents to "come out en-masse" to welcome the president.
"A Mockery of Bereaved People"
In a video message shared via his Instagram page, Efe Warriboy stated that Governor Alia's declaration was insensitive and disrespectful to those mourning lost loved ones.
"I'm trying my best not to be rude while making this video, but given this scenario, it would be difficult. What's happening now in Benue State shows that regardless of your title, whether Reverend Father or Senior Pastor, once you hold power in Nigeria, a demon will enter inside you," the comedian said.
He further questioned the governor's priorities: "A man said in a viral video that he lost 20 family members. But the most important to the Governor is welcoming Tinubu. The president is supposed to sneak into the state and not expect heroic welcome. Is he coming to commission a project or dead bodies?"
Political Motivations Questioned
Warriboy accused Governor Alia of playing politics with the lives of Benue people, suggesting that the governor's actions were motivated by concerns about securing his political future.
"He is trying not to do anything that will make his political overlords deny him his re-election ticket in 2027," the comedian alleged.
Warriboy expressed disappointment in Alia's handling of the situation compared to his predecessor: "I missed former Benue State Governor, [Samuel] Ortom. He was very vocal about the killings in the state. It got to your turn as governor, and as a Reverend Father, people were expecting you to be unbiased, but you disappointed a lot of people."
Context of the Yelewata Massacre
The controversy comes in the wake of the Yelewata massacre, where over 200 people were reportedly killed in recent attacks. The timing of President Tinubu's visit and the public holiday declaration has sparked outrage among many Benue residents who are still mourning their losses.
President Tinubu's visit to Benue State marks his first official trip to the state since assuming office. The visit comes at a critical time when security concerns in the region have escalated, with calls from various quarters for more decisive federal intervention to address the ongoing violence.
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