Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula, has urged former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to focus on the political challenges confronting him in Kano State. Kula stated that Kwankwaso should respect the mandate given to Alia by the people of Benue and offer constructive ideas instead of insults. This advice was given in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi.
Kula described Kwankwaso's recent criticism of Governor Alia as "an unfortunate and unwarranted insult" that would do little to advance constructive political discourse. He alleged that Kwankwaso's position appeared to be connected to the controversy surrounding the visit of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to Benue.
According to Kula, Obi's visit was brought into the state without proper coordination, after which Governor Alia was falsely accused of disrupting the visit. Kula said, "Obi's drama was completely set up by those who are desperate to give Governor Alia a bad name." He added that it was unfortunate if Kwankwaso had failed to understand the political dynamics surrounding the visit.
Kula emphasized that Governor Alia was elected by the people of Benue and that his mandate should be respected regardless of political differences. He also dismissed what he described as "unfounded claims" concerning the relationship between Governor Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Kula urged Kwankwaso to address the challenges facing his party and what he described as his declining political influence in Kano. He said, "The concerns surrounding his party's difficulty in finding political footing and his fast-declining political influence there deserve his attention more than personal attacks on another state's governor."
Kula further warned Kwankwaso not to "insult the sensibilities of Benue people", stressing that the people were capable of assessing the performance of their government and determining their political future. He emphasized that Kwankwaso should face Kano politics and respect the people's mandate in Benue.
The advice from Kula comes after Kwankwaso's recent criticism of Governor Alia. As a former Kano State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the NDC, Kwankwaso's comments have been seen as an attempt to interfere in Benue's internal affairs. Kula's statement has been seen as a call for Kwankwaso to focus on his own state's politics.
Key points
- Kwankwaso should focus on Kano politics rather than criticizing Governor Alia.
- Kula described Kwankwaso's criticism of Alia as "an unfortunate and unwarranted insult".
- Governor Alia was elected by the people of Benue and his mandate should be respected.
