Alia Rejects Reps Committee Invitation, Heads to Supreme Court
Alia Rejects Reps Committee Invitation, Heads to Supreme Court
By Matthew Eloyi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, will not honour the invitation extended to him by the House of Representatives Committee for a hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
This was confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, during a media briefing on Wednesday in Makurdi.
It was gathered that the House had summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara, as well as their respective House of Assembly leaderships. But according to Kula, Governor Alia considers the invitation “unconstitutional” and has decided not to comply.
He revealed that the governor had taken legal action against the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation,” Kula said. “They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court.”
Kula emphasized that Governor Alia has separately approached the Supreme Court to contest the legality of the summons. “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it,” he added.
The spokesperson also dismissed the civil society group behind the petition that prompted the Reps’ invitation, describing it as “faceless” and “unregistered.”
According to him, “The address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.”
Kula further alleged that there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilizing Benue State. He referenced recent demonstrations in Abuja purportedly representing the concerns of Benue citizens, which he believes are part of a broader political agenda.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said, accusing the organizers of seeking to reverse progress in the state and reinstate a failed political order. “Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain.”
He went on to accuse the sponsors of plotting to unseat the governor through disruptive means. “They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” Kula asserted.
Despite the controversy, he assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and its government is operating smoothly. “Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said.
