Group urges Tinubu to curb politically driven violence in Benue

A coalition of civil society organisations has issued a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene and restrain political actors at the federal level who are allegedly fueling violence and instability in Benue State for political gain.

The Coalition for Civil Society in Nigeria and Advocates of Social Justice made the call during a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday.

The group expressed deep concern over what it described as a pattern of politically motivated violence aimed at discrediting the state government and destabilizing the region.

Igwe Ude-Umanta, the chief convener of the coalition, highlighted a sharp escalation in violence following a recent ruling by the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal.

The tribunal ruled in favor of elected councillors in seven local government areas in the Benue North-West Senatorial District (Zone B), a development he said has triggered daily reports of killings and unrest.

“Since that verdict, the situation in the state has deteriorated significantly,” Ude-Umanta stated. “There are disturbing allegations suggesting that these acts of violence are politically sponsored by lawmakers working against the state’s stability.”

Supporting his claims, co-conveners Guana Benjamin, Comrade Tijani Usman, Danielson Momoh, Abdulmumuni Tijani, and Dr. Alfred Audu Gbaja decried what they called the hypocrisy of some elected officials who, while claiming to serve the people, are allegedly complicit in orchestrating violence for political advantage.

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“It is deeply troubling that some of our leaders are turning citizens into pawns in a dangerous political game,” the group said. “Rather than protect lives and property, they seem more interested in leveraging violence to score political points.”

The coalition also raised alarm over the involvement of cult groups, particularly among youth and students, who are allegedly being manipulated as tools of unrest. They noted that the blame is being conveniently shifted to Governor Hyacinth Alia, despite the constitutional reality that governors have limited control over security forces.

“These attacks are being weaponised to smear the governor’s reputation, even though security remains a federal responsibility,” they said. “Ironically, those behind the unrest also claim loyalty to President Tinubu, yet their actions undermine his administration.”

The group further accused some federal appointees and legislators of plotting to expand the crisis to Abuja through a massive protest involving over 20,000 demonstrators. According to the coalition, this plan is part of a broader scheme to destabilize not only Benue but the nation’s capital as well.

“They are staging violence in Benue and planning to export the chaos to Abuja through a large-scale protest,” the coalition warned. “Security agencies must act swiftly to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in treasonable acts—no matter how highly placed.”

In a related development, the coalition disclosed it had received correspondence from the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acknowledging action on their petition against Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, and FCT High Court’s Justice M. M. Adamu, both accused of judicial misconduct.

The coalition concluded by emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in addressing the Benue crisis, stressing that only through justice can peace be restored to the troubled state.