Benue Security Crisis: Agbese Slams Governor, Seeks Federal Rescue Plan

By Chibueze Udume

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives and Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese, has delivered a scathing critique of the Benue State Governor over the worsening security crisis in the state. Speaking passionately on the tragic killings perpetrated by armed herders and the alleged indifference of the state government, Agbese admitted failure on the part of political leaders and demanded urgent action to save Benue people from further carnage.

Agbese did not mince words as he lamented the apparent helplessness of the Benue State government in addressing the persistent massacres, stating, “It is quite unfortunate, and from the look of things, there’s nothing so far to suggest that we are ready to tackle this problem.” He acknowledged the collective failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the state and federal levels, saying, “Our government has failed.”

According to Agbese, the governor’s ineptitude lies at the heart of Benue’s security woes. He described the governor as ill-prepared for leadership, comparing him to “someone who was just learning how to drive a Beetle car” but was handed “a Marcopolo luxury bus to drive.” This analogy underscored the lawmaker’s belief that the governor’s inexperience has transformed a complex security challenge into a full-blown catastrophe. Agbese accused the governor of dismantling existing safeguards, such as the anti-open grazing law, and instead pursuing actions that have worsened the plight of Benue’s citizens.

The federal lawmaker further alleged that political compromises during the election period contributed to the crisis. He claimed that groups who financed the governor’s campaign may have influenced his decision to relax laws that previously curtailed the activities of violent herders. “Some persons somewhere visited somebody, and a group of people mobilized resources and gave to somebody to contest election to become the governor of the state,” Agbese alleged. As a result, he argued, the governor abandoned the APC Party Manifesto and “relaxed the existing legislation that made it impossible for herders to graze all over the state and cause the kind of havoc we are experiencing today.”

At this point in the unfolding tragedy, it was clear that the impact of the crisis resonated far beyond Benue’s borders. Mr. Chibueze Udume, who followed the conversation narrative of Dr. Hon. Philip Agbese on TVC News Rundown, had tears in his eyes as he was writing this report for TheNigerian News. Deeply moved by the painful realities and the lawmaker’s heartfelt confession, Udume sympathized with the people of Benue, capturing not only the facts but also the human anguish behind the headlines.

The situation, Agbese lamented, has degenerated to the point where even international figures had to intervene before the governor acknowledged the killings. “It took the Pope, it took the United Nations Secretary General to tell us what is going on in Benue State before the governor owned up to the fact that yes, people are being killed,” he said. Agbese condemned the governor’s earlier attempts to downplay the violence as mere “communal clashes” or “skirmishes” and criticized his failure to show empathy towards the suffering citizens.

Agbese decried the lack of collaboration between the state and federal governments, blaming the governor’s false narratives for obstructing security interventions. He revealed that despite multiple warnings and calls for help from federal lawmakers, the governor “decorated the situation with languages that are quite unfounded” and fed misleading reports to the presidency. The lawmaker expressed concern that even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to visit Makurdi to sympathize with the people, efforts are being made to choreograph scripted statements to misrepresent the true state of affairs.

Over 500 lives have reportedly been lost in the wave of attacks by killer herdsmen, and Agbese warned that more lives could be at risk if the current leadership remains in denial. He said, “The man who is supposed to brief the President on the right steps has decided to tow the path of falsehood. I’m surprised at that because he’s from the same party. There’s a roadmap, but the man has abandoned the roadmap.”

In what appeared to be both a confession and a plea, Agbese called on his fellow leaders to acknowledge their failures before God, their constituents, and the nation. “We have failed our people. That is why the situation is there. And if we do not make this truthful confession, we—first, we must go before our creators to say, God, we have failed you. Two, we must admit before our people to say we have failed.”

Agbese called on the governor, as the chief security officer of the state and custodian of its resources, to take primary responsibility for the security collapse. “He should be the first to tell the Benue people that ‘I have failed,’” he emphasized, urging the governor to be honest about the limitations of his administration.

The lawmaker further proposed that the governor should humbly seek the intervention of the President, even if it means stepping aside temporarily to restore peace. Drawing a parallel with the situation in Rivers State, Agbese said, “If I were governor, I would humbly ask Mr. President to intervene directly, even if it means stepping aside temporarily for stability to return.”

He slammed the governor’s inconsistency in attributing the crisis to various sources — foreigners, herdsmen, politicians, and locals — describing it as a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility and confuse the public. “These stories are just to cover up incompetence,” Agbese said, adding that such narratives have only deepened the confusion surrounding the security situation.

Despite the grim situation, Agbese commended President Tinubu for his proactive stance on Benue’s security, particularly his latest directive for security chiefs to act decisively. He expressed hope that the renewed commitment from the federal government would mark a turning point in the state’s fight against insecurity.

However, he stressed that real change will only come if the state government stops interfering with security operations and aligns itself with genuine solutions. “Let’s allow them [security agencies] to work without interference,” he pleaded.

In a final word of caution, Agbese reminded all political leaders in Benue of their sacred duty to protect lives. He rejected the notion of party loyalty being used to mask the truth or justify inaction. “Before I became a member of the APC, I was human. I will still be human after the party, after the office. I cannot, in the name of party loyalty, decorate the killing of my brothers and sisters in Benue State. This is not the time for party politics — it’s time to resolve this issue.”

Agbese’s speech has resonated with many in Benue who have grown weary of political platitudes amid ongoing bloodshed. His blunt admission of failure and direct challenge to the governor’s leadership may intensify calls for accountability and swift federal action.

As President Tinubu prepares to visit Benue, eyes are now on the state’s leaders to see if they will rise above politics and finally deliver the peace that has eluded the state for far too long.

Kindly watch the full speech: