No Worshiper Feels Unsafe With Gov. Alia In the Church - Former Council Chairmen

The Association of Former Elected Local Government Council Chairmen in Benue State (BAFELCC) has denied that the presence of Governor Hyacinth Alia in the church made congregants unsafe!

The association denied the allegation while briefing the media at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council Secretariat, Makurdi.

The group led by the former Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Council, Hon Stephen Manta clarified that briefing the press became necessary to correct what he described as "misleading and exaggerated" petition the "Coalition of Gubernatorial Aspirants from Vandeikya Local Government Area" has written the church against Governor Alia.

The association said "we wish to state unequivocally that this is not only misleading and exaggerated, but a calculated act of political desperation aimed at dragging the church into partisan politics and discrediting the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia."

It noted that the need for responding to the petition became compelling for straightening record against government and protecting integrity of the church wholly held in the highest esteem! 

The Chairmen said "we have not seen at any time anywhere that the Governor acted with the intention to desecrate or undermine the sanctity of worship. The allegations are clearly exaggerated to provoke public outrage and ecclesiastical backlash." 

According to the group, the Governor's remarks at the thanksgiving service in the Catholic Church at Ugba, Logo Local Government Area never meant to hurt anyone but "metaphorically within the context of encouraging resilience and self defence against insecurity, not a literal call to violence!" 

The group explained "political leaders often employ strong figurative language to communicate firmness in the face of threats, isolating such expressions and presenting them as indictment is both dishonest and mischievous."

On alleged pattern of misuse of the church by Governor Alia, the body denied and blamed the petitioners of a speculation not supported by verifiable facts. It cautioned against creating the division between government and the church and that the action tended to instil fear in the minds of worshippers!

The former council chairmen cautioned the politicians aspiring for elective offices against dragging allegedly the church into partisan politics. It reminded that doing so has the tendency to desecrate the church and equally threaten the unity of the Christian community in the state.

The association called on members of the public to reject what she accused the aspirants of authoring "the politically motivated petition in its entirety." The chairmen urged all political parties to enforce discipline and accountability within party structures aimed at making aspirants conduct themselves with honour and decirum.