Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has strongly condemned the conduct of some youths in Ukum Local Government Area, who threw stones at Governor Hyacinth Alia during his recent visit to the community.
Naturenex learnt that Governor Alia had gone to the area to inspect the worsening security situation when he was met with hostility. Some aggrieved youths reportedly booed the governor and pelted his convoy with stones, expressing anger over the government’s perceived failure to protect them from relentless attacks.
Reacting to the incident on Monday, Suswam criticized the youths’ behaviour, describing it as both shameful and counterproductive. While acknowledging their pain and frustrations over the security crisis, the former governor emphasized that violence was not the right approach to resolving such issues.
He urged the youths to embrace constructive dialogue, irrespective of political differences, noting that opportunities to engage leaders should not be wasted.
In his words: “When we were young, we liked being motor conductors. We enjoyed that lifestyle, banging on vehicles, shouting destinations. That was our hustle.
“Now fast-forward to today: the governor visited our area, but instead of engaging him, some of you decided to throw stones. You know, if people had stoned David in the Bible when he was just a shepherd, he wouldn’t have gone to fight Goliath. He wouldn’t have come back victorious.
“Likewise, this Governor (Alia) came to our place. Whether you like him or not, you should have allowed him to come down and talk. If there’s something wrong, that was your chance to voice it out.
“Telling the governor not to come down and stoning him is shameful. You should have had the sense and patience to at least hear what he had to say. You acted like he was the problem instead of focusing on those truly responsible for the attacks, Fulani terrorists.
“If people in other areas reject a governor from your own zone, won’t you be the first to complain? Even if the governor is from another party, it doesn’t mean you can’t engage him. If he says or does something that benefits the community, support it.”
