From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Ahead of the planned Nationwide Protests, Benue State Governor ,Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Sunday, called on Nigerians especially labour unions and other associations to shun the protest over economic hardships and bad governance.He said that the protests may be manipulated by politicians who are sponsoring militia attacks across the country, stating that the situation could lead to violence and setbacks in the state.

Alia made the call while speaking with journalists shortly after a Church Service at the Chapel of Grace, Government House Makurdi. He said there was a need for the planned protests to be shelved in the state and Nigeria as a whole, especially now that the present government is trying its best to render people oriented programmes.Fr. Alia appreciated the State Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, as well as the Department of State Services (DSS), following their invitations extended to some union leaders and groups for a round table discussion.He said the discussion will afford the various groups and unions to be able to dissuade their members from joining the protest, especially as the government has uncovered plans by some individuals to infiltrate the protest and cause destruction.He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his efforts towards bringing developments to the State and added that all the projects his administration is currently executing across the state, were as a result of the support the state is enjoying from the President.On the crisis in Ukum, the governor described it as unfortunate, stating that a Commission of Inquiry has already been set up by the government to look into the crisis.According to him, the government will take its position when the committee finally submits its report and call on the people to always place the peace of the state first.He accused Abuja politicians of being behind the continued militia attacks in Ukum Sankara axis of the State. “Although the trust the militiamen initially had in the government was betrayed by the previous governments, however, I will continue to extend an olive branch, but I will not watch a few miscreants destabilize the peace of the state.”I want to assure the people of Benue that insecurity will soon be a thing of the past. I commend uniformed men for their efforts at securing the state and I want to charge them to continue to be vigilant, hence security is the prerogative of every citizen of the state.”I thank the leaders and congregants of the Government House Chapel for organizing prayers for the Government and People of the State. My administration will continue to do its best to deliver on its mandate.