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Charges Alia to Embrace Insults
Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest of the assailants responsible for the attack and murder of over 200 residents of Yelewata town at Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.
Tinubu gave the charge while speaking at the town hall meeting with the state’s stakeholders in Makurdi following his visit to injured victims of last week’s attack by suspected armed herdsmen.
While commending the Nigerian Armed Force, the Nigerian Police Force, and other security agencies for their efforts in keeping Nigerians safe, the President however questioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over absence of report on the arrest of the assailants.
He also charged the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to get the criminals out of their hiding while also charging the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the State Security Service (SSS) on the need to
“Again and again, Police I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest is being made? I expect that there should be arrest of those criminals.
“Christopher…We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” Tinubu told the CDS.
“To the DG NIA, DG SSS, retune your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence that this will not occur again.” The President said.
Addressing Benue State Governor, Alia Hyacinth, Tinubu urged him to be open to accept insults, stressing that he cannot be loved by everyone in politics.
Using himself as an example, the President stated maintaining his stand on the principle of democracy by protecting his abusers despite their criticism and hatred for him.
“Not everybody will like you in politics. They hate me like hell too. But I’m here, I am the President and under democratic regime.
“I made a promise that I will protect my abusers and accusers with the principle of democracy, freedom, and prosperity.
“And we protect them. Abuse me all you want. You must take that.” He said.
The President further charged him and other governors to create synergy and exchange ideas between one another for peace, development, and prosperity.
He questioned their engagement at the National Executives Council (NEC) which according to him supposed to be a platform where they exchange ideas; identify challenges, and proffer solutions to problems.
“Create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity. We are here to govern, not to bury. We are here to raise families, not to lose some. Provide healthcare, water, and food.
“I saw Plateau launching its public transportation. That is good, at least you are not borrowing money to pay salary now.
“We will fasten our belts to give development to our country. You as leaders, it is only when you make the people of your state a priority, that is when you can plan good for them. And you can execute good programmes. I’m glad you are here today to show solidarity.
“Governor, you have to talk to them, get together with them. I don’t what you people are doing at NEC.
“You cannot sit down and talk together, exchange ideas and challenges and solve problems. That is why we are elected. And that is how you have your second term.” He said.
Tinubu approved the establishment of a leadership committee in an effort to find lasting peace in the state.
The committee, according to him, will include traditional rulers and will meet in Abuja to fashion out plans towards peaceful resolution of the crisis in the state.
“The committee of leaders lets establish that. We cannot do without one another. I will want us to create this leadership committee now and we meet in Abuja to fashion out the new plans of a lasting peace and I’m ready to invest in that peace.
“And among the traditional rulers to be included in this peace committee.
“I think by now you will be bored of hearing my voice. I give you the assurance that we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy to prosperity.” He added.