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Prominent Tiv elder statesman and former senator, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, has issued a blistering criticism of the Benue State government following reports of violent disruptions targeting a presidential delegation during the 2025 Tiv Day celebration held on December 13 in Gboko.
Hagher, who described himself as having been stranded overnight in Makurdi before returning to Abuja by road, labeled the incident a “grave assault on democracy” and a “direct insult to the Presidency.” He accused supporters linked to Governor Hyacinth Alia of orchestrating hostility, humiliation, and intimidation against the delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Hagher’s account, the delegation—comprising senior federal officials, ministers, and lawmakers—arrived expecting a warm reception but faced no official welcome at the airport from the state government or Tiv Traditional Council. He claimed derogatory chants and an atmosphere of threat forced the group to flee for safety, with chaos escalating at the venue where a mob allegedly overwhelmed security, disrupted proceedings, and even led to a stabbing incident involving a youth pleading for calm.
Hagher placed direct responsibility on Governor Alia, accusing him of fostering a hostile political environment and failing to protect state guests. He warned that leadership built on intimidation, politicization of institutions, and disregard for democratic norms endangers Benue’s stability and reputation. Cautioning traditional authorities against partisanship, he urged the SGF not to despair, viewing the ordeal as a temporary test before “better days.”
Emphasizing that such actions “must not be normalised,” Hagher called on all defenders of democracy to condemn the treatment of the delegation in the interest of national unity, democratic values, and political stability. He concluded with the proverb: “A word is enough for the wise.”
The incident has reignited tensions amid the longstanding political rivalry between Governor Alia and SGF Akume, both key figures in Benue’s APC politics. Reports from the event highlight clashes between supporters, protocol disputes, and a stabbing, which overshadowed cultural displays and chieftaincy conferments. While the celebration aimed to promote Tiv rebirth and unity, it has sparked broader concerns about growing intolerance and mob violence in the state.
