The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State has accused the state government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, of masterminding the violent disruption of a Thanksgiving Mass organized by a House of Representatives member, Sesoo Gboko, in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.
This incident occured at Annunciation Catholic Rectory, in Tsuwe Daka, Shangev Tiev of Konsisha Local Goverment Area of Benue State, on Sunday.
The APC alleged that the thugs who disrupted the mass were sponsored by the Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Council, Philip Achua and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Benue Publicity Secretary of the APC, Daniel Ihomun, said: “This is one attack too many. The APC in Benue State views this as a clear deviation from the current desire for peace by communities in Benue State and an open invitation to anarchy and chaos by the Alia led administration in the state.
“The party clearly can no longer tolerate such acts of violence on its members which has now been extended to the body of Christ.
“The brazen and mindless attack on the House of God, and the House of Representatives member clearly confirms the re-introduction of thuggery and other social vices by the government of the day in Benue State.
“This is a clear violation of the freedom of association of the people enshrined as a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed by any responsible government.
“The party invites well-meaning Benue Citizens, Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon which is slowly but steadily taking root in Benue State under the Alia Administration.
“These unpleasant developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations already made by the Governor, Fr. Hycinth Alia that anyone who dare criticises his government or points a finger at him will have them chopped off and destroyed were beyond verbal threats.
“The party commends the maturity and the ever-peaceful disposition of Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher and the Parish Priest of the Annunciation Catholic Rectory, Tsuwe Daka even in the face of this unwarranted attacks by thugs appointed into government by Gov. Alia.
“We call on security agencies to up their game by ensuring fair play in the politics of the state as the wish and rights of the people to freely associate can never be suppressed by any force.”
Benue APC says Alia Govt behind violent disruption of Rep’s Thanksgiving Mass
