EJEH REVEALS GOVERNOR ALIA’S PLAN FOR BENUE – FULANI RECONCILIATION
*Apa Joins Agatu in Fulani Accord as Meetings Extend Statewide
*Critics Accuse Alia Administration of Exploiting Peace Initiative for Political Gains
The controversial reconciliation initiative between Benue communities and Fulani herdsmen, allegedly directed by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has taken another twist as Apa Local Government held a similar meeting with a Fulani delegation on Tuesday, 14th January 2025. This follows the earlier Agatu-Fulani accord spearheaded by Agatu Local Government Chairman, James Melvin Ejeh, who has promised to enlist the Apa Council Boss in the initiative.
Ejeh revealed that other local governments across Benue State are mandated to hold similar reconciliation meetings, describing it as a statewide directive aimed at fostering peace ahead of the next farming season. However, critics have dismissed the initiative as a self-serving political move designed to position Alia and his allies for future political benefits while ignoring the safety and well-being of affected communities.
The prioritization of reconciliation with Fulani herdsmen has sparked outrage, particularly in Zone C, where communities such as Agatu and Apa have suffered devastating attacks. Residents question why the initiative began in volatile regions instead of less contentious areas, suggesting it reflects the administration’s desperation to gain political leverage amid governance failures.
“This reconciliation is a betrayal of our people,” said a community leader in Apa who requested anonymity. “Before this crisis, what benefits did we derive from cohabiting with Fulani herdsmen? This initiative is not about peace; it’s about politics.”
Ejeh’s vocal support for the initiative has been widely condemned. His assertion that the Nigerian Constitution overrides the 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law is seen as an attempt to justify the herdsmen’s return. Critics accuse him of undermining the law and prioritizing political alignment over safeguarding Agatu residents.
Furthermore, by encouraging Apa and other councils to join, Ejeh is seen as paving the way for eroding the Anti-Grazing Law, leaving communities vulnerable to further incursions. The exclusion of key stakeholders in the initiative has fueled suspicions that it is imposed from above without genuine community input, risking further divisions rather than fostering peace.
Governor Alia’s administration has faced backlash for its lack of a clear framework to address land scarcity, herder adherence, and balancing interests between farmers and herders. The initiative, devoid of justice and transparency, epitomizes the government’s focus on political calculations over community welfare.
“Governor Alia is using our pain as a political bargaining chip,” said a resident of Agatu. “This initiative is not about peace; it’s about power.”
The Agatu-Fulani accord and subsequent Apa meeting have exposed deep flaws in the reconciliation initiative. Without meaningful stakeholder engagement and transparent processes, it risks becoming yet another chapter in Benue’s long history of betrayal and conflict.
