President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to expand the newly established Committee of Elders for Benue State to include all former governors and the current Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule.

This directive was disclosed on Wednesday by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, through a post on his X account.

Dare, who is part of the presidential delegation that recently visited communities affected by the latest wave of killings, revealed that President Tinubu urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to work with all stakeholders and serve as a father to everyone in the state, regardless of political or ethnic differences.

Call for Unity Amid Crisis

The President appealed to the people of Benue to unite and cooperate with the government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis that has plagued the state. According to reports, the recent attack in Yelewata village resulted in over 200 deaths, with numerous injuries and hundreds of displaced persons.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of traditional rulers collaborating closely with the state government to maintain peace and order. He also instructed Governor Alia to secure land for ranching as a measure to address one of the root causes of the conflict.

"The new Committee of Elders, now expanded to include all past governors and the Governor of Nasarawa State, is expected to play a critical advisory and mediatory role in the peace process," Dare stated.

Presidential Response to Violence

During his visit to Benue, President Tinubu reportedly told Governor Alia to be prepared for criticism, describing it as "a hallmark of leadership." The President also expressed frustration over the lack of arrests following the massacre, directing security agencies to take decisive action.

In addressing the herder-farmer conflicts that have contributed to violence in the region, Tinubu affirmed that he values the lives of Nigerians more than cattle, signaling a commitment to prioritizing human safety in conflict resolution efforts.

The President also acknowledged political challenges facing Governor Alia, noting that some political enemies might not want his administration to succeed.

The expanded Committee of Elders is expected to bring together experienced political leaders from the state to help navigate the complex security and social challenges currently facing Benue.

Follow BenriNews on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | WhatsApp | Telegram