A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Godwin Ityoachimin, has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to resign for allegedly abdicating his responsibility to protect the citizenry in the state.

Ityoachimin spoke on Saturday after he visited Yelwata, Guma Local Council of the state, where he commiserated with survivors of the Fulani herdsmen genocidal attack, which left over two hundred dead.

Condemning the continued brutal killings by suspected armed herders, he expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged silence and complicity of the Governor Alia-led administration on the issue.

He stated that when a government fails to safeguard lives and property, it loses its moral and constitutional legitimacy.

The APC chieftain reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, saying it is the only viable platform for his political ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

According to him, the ongoing security crisis and the perceived failure of the current administration to address the killings effectively stem from Alia’s inexperience.

He cited incompetence, lack of political will to govern, and the governor’s nonchalant attitude towards the plight of the people as reasons for his position.

Ityoachimin also attributed the killings to the governor’s non-responsive attitude, saying even those who are not in the security cycle got wind of the planned attack before it was executed.

“What happened is very unfortunate. I am telling you outrightly that the governor has failed. He has no justification to keep parading himself as governor, so he should step aside. This kind of indolence should not be tolerated. If he continues in office for the next two years, only God knows what will befall us. He came unprepared and, as such, he should resign,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for visiting to commiserate with the state, urging the relevant security agencies to carry out the president’s directive to the letter.

He said, “This is not the first time directives will come from the headquarters, but I must commend the president. He shelved his itinerary to Kaduna to come down here to commiserate with us, and it’s not only about dishing out instructions, but making sure they are carried out.”

While donating some relief materials to the survivors, Ityoachimin thanked them for their resilience, urging them to remain steadfast in the wake of continued unprovoked attacks.

Receiving the items on behalf of the community, the District Head of the community, Tyoor Bernard Shawa, appreciated Ityoachimin for his kind gesture and concern, commending him for the love shown to his people in their trying moments.