Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee’s invitation, his media aide has confirmed.
The House had summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
But Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, told journalists in Makurdi, yesterday that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor would not comply with it.
He explained that Alia had filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality. “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He claimed there was a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there had been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns. “These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light.”
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
