The Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula, has responded to former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over his recent comments on the political dispute between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Kula accused Kwankwaso of interfering in Benue affairs and urged him to focus on the political challenges in his own state. This exchange is connected to the controversy surrounding the disruption of Peter Obi's visit to Benue on September 8.
Kwankwaso had described the disagreement between Alia and Akume as "unfortunate and unnecessary" and accused the governor of acting out of desperation in an interview with ARISE News. Kula rejected Kwankwaso's criticism of Alia, calling it "an unfortunate and unwarranted insult" that did little to advance political discourse. He claimed Kwankwaso's position was rooted in a "misplaced grudge" arising from Obi's disputed visit to Benue.
Kula alleged that the controversy surrounding Obi's visit was deliberately orchestrated to damage Alia politically. He claimed Obi's team had failed to properly notify the government of the visit, leading to the disruption. However, accounts of the notification preceding Obi's visit have remained contested, with a document showing that the NDC's Benue chapter notified the state police command of the visit on September 7.
The Benue Commissioner of Police clarified that the police were not instructed to transmit the notification to the governor. Despite this, Kula maintained that Alia's mandate should not be questioned due to political disagreements. He emphasized that the governor, a Reverend gentleman, was elected by the people of Benue State, and his mandate should be respected by any sane citizen.
Kula turned the criticism towards Kano, arguing that Kwankwaso had sufficient political issues in his home state requiring his attention. He cited the recent Kano State House of Assembly by-election as part of the political terrain facing Kwankwaso, where his party, the NDC, did not participate. The APC subsequently won the seat, highlighting Kwankwaso's declining political influence.
Kula advised Kwankwaso to focus on strengthening his political position in Kano rather than commenting on Benue's internal affairs. He emphasized that Benue voters were capable of assessing the performance of their government without external direction. Kula urged Kwankwaso to respect the people's mandate in Benue and offer ideas, not insults.
The latest exchange between Kula and Kwankwaso highlights the ongoing tensions between Benue and Kano states. As politicians, they must navigate complex relationships and alliances while addressing the concerns of their constituents. The controversy surrounding Obi's visit and the rift between Alia and Akume remain key issues in Benue's politics, with various stakeholders weighing in on the matter.
Key points
- Benue Governor's aide Tersoo Kula accuses former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of meddling in Benue's internal affairs
- The controversy surrounding Peter Obi's visit to Benue on September 8 is connected to the ongoing rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume
- Kula urges Kwankwaso to focus on Kano's political challenges rather than commenting on Benue's internal affairs
