A former Benue House of Representatives member, Mark Gbillah, has suggested that President Bola Tinubu knows the killers in Benue State if he is asking citizens to seek harmonious relationship and reconciliation with the attackers.
Gbillah also dismissed the characterization of the killings as reprisal attack, saying it appeared that Tinubu is not being given the right information.
The ex-lawmaker spoke on Monday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.
Recall that the President had charged Alia to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among warring parties amid the unending killings in the state by suspected herdsmen.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed Tinubu’s position in a statement he signed and released on Sunday.
Alia also backed Tinubu while appearing on Channels Television on Monday.
The governor described the ongoing attacks as possible reprisal attacks launched by suspected armed herders using known routes from neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Reacting, Gbillah described Tinubu’s reprisal attack claim as misinformed, saying he doesn’t grasp the situation in Benue.
He said: “Mr President, I want to use this opportunity to emphasize the fact that there’s a war against people in a part of your country.
“Let me say that there’s an old adage, even in several cultures, you cannot beat a child up and stop the child from crying. When our people cried out when we embarked upon our legitimate constitutional duty to protest, we were confronted with tear gas, with scores of personnel who, from nowhere, came out, who are not able to confront these killers, but are able to confront protesters.
“We saw helicopters hovering over protesters, helicopters that we did not see go to Gwer West and intercept the people.
“So we are concerned about what is happening. Some of us have waited and have given the president, the governor, the benefit of doubt to intervene, but after two years, we cannot keep quiet anymore, including those who were declared as representatives of the people. Two years later, and nothing seems to be happening.
“I have to point out immediately now what was shocking and of a concern to me in the statement made by Mr. President. And let me quote very clearly, Mr President, first of all, mentioned that he has asked that an implementation of his earlier directive, meaning he gave an initial directive that apparently was not followed. He has to now give a follow up directive that is one.
“Number two. He is saying that in the latest round of reprisal attacks, reprisal attacks. Mr. President, it appears as if some people are not giving you the right information. Mr President, is being misinformed and ill advised. There is no such thing as reprisal attacks going on. Our people are under siege.
“Mr President asked the governor to convene reconciliation meetings and dialog among warring communities. Sorry, warring parties – those are the words used by Bayo Onanuga – and then seek harmonious existence between farmers headers and communities.
“I’m aware that there seems to be a lot of sycophancy in the country right now. So Mr. President, with all due respect, if you need to be told the truth, you can ask us, the people, some of us, can come and tell you what is actually going on. You can liaise with our governor. I believe he should be honest enough to tell you the truth.
“There is no such thing as reprisal attacks. If you say, seek harmonious relationship and have reconciliation meetings, that means, Mr President, you know who has attacked us. That means the governor knows who has attacked us and is supposed to call them together for a meeting.
“That is what I deduce from that statement, and that I believe is disingenuous to the situation. There is no such thing as reprisal attacks. I will repeat for the uptenth time. These are premeditated, unprovoked attacks against the people.”
