Twisting The Narrative: How Omale Omale Relied On Doctored Post To Evade Accountability in The Death of Ernest

TWISTING THE NARRATIVE: HOW OMALE OMALE RELIED ON  DOCTORED POST TO EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE DEATH OF ERNEST

* “The Man Dies in All Who Keep Silent in the Face of Tyranny.” – Soyinka (So did Ernest Died, and May no other Youth Suffer the same Fate in Apa Again)

By Morgan Adikwu

The tragic demise of Ernest Owoicho, has left an indelible scar on the Apa community. But beyond the pain, what is more reprehensible is the desperate attempt to twist the narrative, shift the blame, and ultimately dance on the grave of the young man.

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Apa/Agatu Under Siege: Fulani Takeover Sparks Fear as Alia’s ‘Peace Accord’ Collapses

The so-called reconciliation initiative between Fulani herdsmen and Apa/Agatu communities, championed by Agatu LGA Chairman James Melvin Ejeh under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s directive, has spectacularly failed. Instead of fostering peace, it has accelerated an outright occupation. The supposed conditions for resettlement—unarmed return, designated grazing areas, and a phased process—were disregarded from the start. Now, Apa is under siege, its villages reduced to ghost towns while the Fulani move in without restraint.

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Benue South Legislators: Fallen Guardians of a Once-Great Legacy 

BENUE SOUTH LEGISLATORS: FALLEN GUARDIANS OF A ONCE-GREAT LEGACY

By Morgan Adikwu

In the golden era of Nigeria’s First Republic, Benue South stood tall, its capital Otukpo—popularly known as “Texas”—a hub of progress and pride. The founding fathers of the Idoma Nation, such as J.C. Obande, Abutu Obekpa, Col. Anthony Ochefu,  Amb. Edward Ogbuyanga, Andrew Obeya, Vincent Ukwu, Justice A.P Anyebe, Dr. Edwin Idoko, Ogwiji Ikongbe, Ebije Ikwue, Amb. Ogah Okwoche, Ekah Onoja, Adeyi Ameh, Augustine Alechenu, Odeh Attah, Sen Godwin Okpe, etc., laid a foundation for collective growth and national relevance. Their vision extended far beyond infrastructure; it encompassed education, healthcare, and a legacy of integrity and service that elevated the Idoma people onto the world stage.

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De Jure Divino: Betrayal- Avenged Story of Agada and Alia

DE JURE DIVINO: THE BETRAYAL-AVENGED STORY OF AGADA AND ALIA

*Traitors Are Punished in the Ninth Circle of Hell – Dante

By Morgan Adikwu

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the ninth circle of hell is reserved for those who betray trust—an unpardonable offense with no redemption. This feature story parallels that ancient truth, chronicling the turbulent saga of Comrade Austin Agada, Chairman of the APC in Benue State, and Governor Hyacinth Alia. Agada paved the path for Alia’s rise to power with precision and resolve. This title captures not only Agada’s resilience in the face of betrayal but also his divine vindication. Agada stands recognized as a man of conscience and unwavering loyalty before both the law and, ultimately, before God.

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Oju-Awajir Road Crisis: Governor Alia’s Response Raises Concerns**

Pressing Issues in Benue State

On September 19, a journalist asked Governor Hyacinth Alia about two urgent issues in Benue State: the stalled boundary demarcation between Oju and Konshisha Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the prolonged closure of the Oju-Awajir road.

Impact of the Road Blockade
The road, the only direct route to the state capital from Oju LGA, has been blocked by the Bonta militia for over a year. This has turned a two-hour journey to Makurdi into a grueling six-hour ordeal. Fertilizer meant for farmers en route to Oju was allegedly seized by the Bonta militia on the Oju-Awajir road.

Governor Alia’s Confounding Response
Governor Alia’s response puzzled many. He started with, “You asked a very beautiful question, but you twisted the narrative.” He added, “The road is not closed. There were skirmishes… There were blockages at some point within a few days.” He also claimed the task force, police, and military responded promptly, stating, “I passed through the very road myself.”

Proposed Solutions: Road Contract and Military Base
Governor Alia claimed he awarded the road contract and is working to connect the communities. He also suggested creating a military base between Oju and Konshisha. He stated, “I am going to claim it, just for farming… So that no one from the communities will dare come closer to the place.”

Contradictions in Leadership Promises
These claims contradict Deputy Governor Sam Ode’s September 7 promise that road reconstruction would start within two weeks. Despite this, the people of Oju and nearby areas still see no signs of progress.

Tensions Escalate After Governor’s Visit
Governor Alia’s June visit to Oju, during his thank-you tour, was followed by multiple Bonta militia attacks on Ukpute. His statement that “there is relative peace between Oju and Konshisha communities” and his frequent visit claims have raised doubts.

A Disconnect Between Words and Reality
Governor Alia’s narrative appears disconnected from the ground reality. His statements don’t align with the experiences of local residents. This raises concerns about the accuracy of the information reaching his office.

Call for Genuine Peace and Action
Benue State deserves genuine peace and the reopening of the Oju-Awajir road. Governor Alia must reassess his sources of information and align his actions with the people’s reality to find lasting solutions. Relying solely on filtered security reports could make the situation worse, considering Bonta’s history of attacking Nigerian soldiers.

The Path Forward: Transparency and Community Engagement
Governor Alia should prioritize transparency, engage with local communities, and make tangible progress on the Oju-Awajir road. Only then can trust be rebuilt and the people of Benue look forward to a better future.

Written by James Ibechi