The Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia at the weekend re-emphasized the critical need for a multidimensional approach and synergy as a step that could help in tackling the increasing level of insecurity in North Central Nigeria.
Governor Alia stated this while speaking at the 1st North Central Zonal Stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital.
According to him, Benue State and the entire North Central remain infested with insecurity, which has spread to the frightened levels where people are speaking about ‘food insecurity’.
He said the unity of purpose among North Central Governors and party stakeholders was also important.
Governor Alia expressed the hope that the meeting in Lafia would help segment further meetings where stakeholders could find solutions to their problems.
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The Governor noted that Benue State was currently experiencing relative peace but his government was desirous to do more to ensure that absolute and permanent peace returns to the state.
Alia sought the possibility of having a North Central Security Summit where ideas would be cross-fertilized on a broader spectrum on addressing insecurity challenges in the region.
While thanking the Federal Government for the attention given to Benue State, especially in the areas of security and road infrastructure, Governor Alia pledged his willingness to continue to stand with his party – the APC, and work for its success at all times.
Earlier, the North Central Zonal Coordinator and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thanked the APC stakeholders for their contribution to the success of the party in the last elections and appealed to them to continue working hard to guarantee the success of the party in the next elections.
Chairman of the occasion and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen George Akume, who also represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event said the North Central has played key roles in the formation of political parties in the country and has worked very hard for the success of the APC.
Akume highlighted the major appointments given to the North Central so far, saying that they were looking forward to more.
The SGF however appealed to all stakeholders in the zone to maintain unity and share values of commonality and interest for the success of the party.
In his remarks, the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the North Central Zonal Stakeholders Meeting was part of the reform system that was effected in the party and called on all party Stakeholders to ensure that the party remains functional and operational in their areas.
Insecurity is a major challenge in the region with frequent conflicts between community groups, clashes between herders and farmers, and attacks by criminal groups. Reports indicate that the region has seen over 1,400 incidents of conflict and 7,399 deaths in the last decade.
