Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has condemned the actions of some youths in Ukum Local Government Area who hurled stones at Governor Hyacinth Alia during a recent visit to the community.
Governor Alia had visited the troubled area to assess the ongoing security crisis following a series of violent attacks.
However, his visit was marred by hostile reactions from some angry youths who booed and pelted his convoy with stones, accusing him of failing to protect them from incessant killings.
Reacting to the incident, Suswam faulted the youths’ behavior, describing it as shameful and counterproductive.
He acknowledged their frustrations but warned that such actions were not the right way to seek redress.
“When we were young, we liked being motor conductors. We enjoyed that lifestyle, banging on vehicles, shouting destinations. That was our hustle,”;; Suswam, who addressed the youths in Tiv language said.
“Now fast-forward to today: the governor visited our area, but instead of engaging him, some of you decided to throw stones.
“You know, if people had stoned David in the Bible when he was just a shepherd, he wouldn’t have gone to fight Goliath. He wouldn’t have come back victorious.
“Likewise, this Governor (Alia) came to our place. Whether you like him or not, you should have allowed him to come down and talk. If there’s something wrong, that was your chance to voice it out.”;;
He added, “Telling the governor not to come down and stoning him is shameful. You should have had the sense and patience to at least hear what he had to say. You acted like he was the problem instead of focusing on those truly responsible for the attacks, Fulani terrorists.”;;
Suswam warned that such actions could have wider implications: “If people in other areas reject a governor from your own zone, won’t you be the first to complain?”;;
The former governor urged the youths to engage constructively regardless of political affiliations.
“Even if the governor is from another party, it doesn’t mean you can’t engage him. If he says or does something that benefits the community, support it,”;; Suswam said.
