By Felly Mammah, Abuja

 

Benue State finds itself at the center of an unfolding political and spiritual narrative, one that strikingly mirrors the biblical story of King Saul and David. This time, the characters are modern, but the themes of divine appointment, envy, resistance, and leadership remain strikingly familiar.

 

Nigeria is widely acknowledged as a deeply religious nation. However, the situation in Benue raises critical questions about the gap between spiritual declarations and practical governance. The emergence of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia as Governor of Benue State is now seen by many as a divinely orchestrated event that even his strongest critics may not have fully understood or anticipated.

 

Fr. Alia’s rise to power, initially championed by political godfathers and respected clergymen, was widely embraced under the popular slogan “YES FATHER.” Yet, his actions since assuming office—particularly his focus on accountability, frugality, and structural development—have unsettled some of his earliest supporters.

 

Much like the story of David, whose rise triggered envy and resistance from King Saul despite clear signs of divine favour, Fr. Alia now finds himself navigating opposition from within the same clerical and political circles that once endorsed him. His refusal to indulge in wasteful spending or entertain outdated political rituals has ruffled feathers in a state long accustomed to patronage politics.

 

Many observers have drawn direct parallels between the biblical drama and current events in Benue. Just as David was pursued despite his loyalty and achievements, Fr. Alia faces opposition despite his progress in rebuilding the state’s crumbling infrastructure. His administration has launched road projects, implemented stricter supervision of public works, moved tertiary institutions into local government areas, and banned activities he considers detrimental to development and public safety—including the abuse of alcohol and unregulated public gatherings.

 

Perhaps most significantly, Fr. Alia is the first governor in Benue’s history to build a flyover—a symbol of modernization and urban expansion. His steady payment of workers’ salaries without borrowing for over two years has set him apart in a political climate where wage delays are the norm.

 

Yet, despite these strides, calls from some clerics for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Benue State have raised eyebrows. To many, these calls represent a betrayal of both the people’s will and the faith-based principles these leaders claim to uphold. Critics argue that such demands reflect not concern for the people but allegiance to lost political privileges and an aversion to real reform.

 

Supporters of the governor, including traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv, community elders, and diaspora groups, have stood firmly behind Fr. Alia’s mission. They view the ongoing development projects as a long-overdue redirection of public funds toward the common good. They also point to the governor’s bold exposure of secretive agreements made by previous administrations—allegedly involving herders and the state—that have compromised Benue’s peace and security.

 

“Jealousy made Saul pursue David,” one supporter noted, drawing from 1 Samuel 18:7. “But David chose restraint, even when he had the chance to strike. That is what we see in Fr. Alia—resolve, not revenge.”

 

The larger question for Benue remains whether the state will allow history to repeat itself through internal strife or embrace the uncomfortable but necessary road to progress. If biblical Saul eventually recognized his error and acknowledged David’s destiny, perhaps those opposing Governor Alia will also come to see the hand of providence at work.

 

As Nigeria’s President, Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, focuses on national unity and infrastructure, there is little evidence that a state of emergency in Benue is under consideration. The presidency appears more attuned to states showing commitment to development than to political distractions rooted in personal grievances.

 

The story of David and Saul was not just one of rivalry—it was a test of vision, patience, and divine purpose. In Benue State, that story may well be playing out again. Whether its ending follows scripture or strays into chaos remains to be seen. But for now, Fr. Hyacinth Alia continues to walk a path many believe is guided by something higher than politics.