In a decisive move to quell the escalating crisis in Yelewata, Benue State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a series of directives aimed at fostering unity, restoring peace, and driving development in the troubled region.
Addressing stakeholders during a closed-door meeting, President Tinubu urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to embrace inclusive governance and act as a father to all residents, regardless of political or ethnic affiliation.
“Be ready for insults — that is the yoke of leadership,” President Tinubu charged Governor Alia. “Get your lantern, seek out those leaders, and join hands to find lasting solutions.”
As part of the federal government’s peace initiative, the President announced the formation of a Committee of Elders to be composed of respected leaders, including all former governors of Benue and the current Governor of Nasarawa State. The committee will be tasked with facilitating dialogue and advising on sustainable peace-building measures.
In a bid to address the perennial herder-farmer clashes, President Tinubu also made a firm request to the Benue State Government to provide land for ranching, emphasizing it as a viable solution to recurring conflict over grazing routes.
The President made passionate appeals to all residents of Benue State, calling on them to set aside differences and work collectively towards peace and reconciliation. He specifically charged traditional rulers to play active roles in bridging divides and collaborating with the government to restore harmony.
“I am ready to invest in bringing peace to Benue,” Tinubu declared, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ending violence and fostering stability in the state.
The President’s intervention has been widely welcomed as a timely step toward de-escalating tensions and initiating long-term reforms to address the root causes of unrest in Benue.
