Benue killings: Bishops tackle Catholic priests, reject calls for emergency declaration

Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, on Saturday, firmly rejected calls for a state of emergency in the state by some Catholic priests.

The Bishops rather stressed the need for unity and support for Governor Hyacinth Alia during this critical period.

The Bishops’ stance counters recent appeals by some Catholic priests, also under the CBCN umbrella, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over worsening insecurity in the state.

State Overseer of the Charismatic Bishops, Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyegh, at a press conference in Makurdi, described such calls as “unnecessary and counterproductive.”

Archbishop Nyoonkyegh said Governor Alia, being a man of faith and a fellow clergyman, deserved spiritual backing and encouragement from religious leaders, not demands for Federal intervention through emergency rule.

The Archbishop stated, “Governor Hyacinth Alia is our brother in the vineyard.

“As true men of God, our duty is to protect and support him. What Benue needs now is not a state of emergency but unity, cooperation, and prayer to overcome its challenges.”

Nyoonkyegh expressed concerns that invoking emergency powers could strip the state of its leadership, potentially worsening the situation.

He made reference to the situation in Rivers State, where a sole administrator from outside the state was appointed following a political impasse.

Quoting biblical scripture, he reminded fellow clerics that “all authority comes from God” and urged them to remain submissive to duly constituted leadership.

“When you have a son and a brother doing his best in the Lord’s vineyard, the right response is, ‘Brother, keep going,’” he said.

“Fr. Alia is doing his best under tough conditions. We must continue to pray for him, not fight him.”