By
Fely Mammah

The scripture reminds us that only the truth can set a person free. No matter how much that truth is politicised, when genuine solutions for peaceful resolution are needed, the truth inevitably prevails.

Before the proposed visit of former U.S. President Donald Trump to Nigeria, citizens were already aware of the states facing genocide and mass killings. Despite tremendous challenges since assuming office, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has remained undistracted. His exposure of the planned genocide in Benue drew global condemnation—from the Vatican, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, who personally visited Benue State, as well as from the Tor Tiv and dignitaries who witnessed the mass deaths in Yelwata. Yet Fr. Alia has stayed focused on freeing his people from the mental slavery of the past. His achievements in just two years are truly historic.

Taking inspiration from the Republic of Dominica—a Caribbean island that shares borders with Haiti and is the only nation with a cross on its map—Fr. Alia also redesigned Benue’s state logo to include the Cross, a symbol of deep Christian significance. This gesture commemorates Christ’s instruction in Luke 22:19 that believers should remember His death. Benue, one of the few Nigerian states with its river on the national map, is deeply spiritual and known for producing priests, clergy, and religious sisters across many families who desire covenant children.

Though Fr. Alia transitioned from the altar to politics, he remains committed to the less privileged. He has assured them that the distance to Government House will not hinder him from fulfilling his oath of service. In a period when many governors are unwilling to employ youths, he has done the remarkable—creating jobs and even building homes for the aged, including Sen. Suemo Chia. Most of his achievements are well-documented and verifiable.

While some leaders stand idle as their citizens are slaughtered, Fr. Alia raised a courageous voice that drew international attention. Nigeria’s prioritisation of material wealth over human lives has made foreign intervention necessary. Yet some members of the press—expected to be the society’s fourth estate—sometimes portray these events in ways that diminish the efforts aimed at saving future generations.

Fr. Alia cannot be discredited. He was prepared for leadership long before assuming office. A trained psychologist, he has proven that sincerity—not political science—is the foundation of good governance. In less than two years, he cleared outstanding debts, managed state resources prudently, paid salaries and arrears, renovated the Government House, revived abandoned projects, and delivered capital infrastructure. He is the first in the region to deploy drones to monitor IDP camps, attracted World Bank projects, provided mobility for commissioners and security agencies, upgraded the Benue State Teaching Hospital, and established a state-of-the-art Cancer Centre valued at N18 billion.

The press must hold themselves to high intellectual standards, avoiding negative representations that could discourage aspiring youths or shut doors to high-profile interviews. Unfair portrayals risk pressuring leaders into making detrimental public statements.

Nigerians already know the real leaders and financiers of terrorist groups. Insurgency plagued the country long before Fr. Alia’s emergence. He is simply a peculiar, destined figure who stands for the painful truth, guided by the scripture that truth brings lasting peace. His firm stand against the planned genocide—witnessed by President Tinubu—led to arrests of those involved.

Fr. Alia was vindicated by the bloodshed in Yelwata.
He was vindicated when even the Vatican condemned the violence.
He was vindicated when the Inspector-General of Police created new commands to protect neighbouring communities.
He was vindicated when it emerged that some sponsored Benue citizens were collaborating with Fulani herdsmen.
He was vindicated when the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, visited after the Yelwata tragedy, condemned the attacks, and donated N1 billion to support the homeless.