BY AHMED AKANBI
The Benue State Government has accused the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, of politicising the killings in Benue South Senatorial District in a bid to remain politically relevant.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon Odoh Ugwu, gave the response on Wednesday while reacting to Senator Moro’s media attack on Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
Ugwu described the senator’s interview as “a reckless torrent of falsehoods, distortions, and desperate political propaganda.”
He said Moro’s attempt to tarnish the governor’s reputation was built on unverified claims and fake news that have no bearing on the true situation in the state.
The commissioner, who is also from Benue South, said it was painful that at a time the zone is grappling with insecurity, the senator chose to “dance on the graves” of victims for political gain.
According to him, instead of supporting Alia’s efforts to tackle the hydra-headed security crisis, Moro is exploiting the pain of innocent citizens for cheap relevance.
“As the senator representing Benue South, Senator Moro owes the people answers. Beyond endless TV appearances and press interviews, what has he done to improve security, attract development, or empower youths?” Ugwu asked.
He added that leadership is measured by action, not by sensational media outings or shifting blame to cover up over seven years of poor representation in the Senate.
Ugwu also challenged Moro’s claim on AIT that he augmented the N150,000 pledge made by a commissioner to an IDP camp, and demanded that he present credible evidence.
“Listening to Moro sounded petty and projected a negative image of a man of his status. It exposed a troubling level of desperation. Public office demands accountability, not sensationalism,” he said.
The commissioner said dragging Alia’s name into every conversation has become Moro’s only campaign message, noting that the pattern of attacks does not advance the interests of Benue South.
He stressed that Alia has demonstrated fairness to Benue South by appointing indigenes of the zone to head strategic ministries including: Finance, Education, Health, Women Affairs, Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, and Information.