In a dramatic twist, the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese in Benue State has openly denied and distanced himself from allegations made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan against Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
It will be recalled that Cardinal Onaiyekan, during a public statement, claimed that “His Bishop told him No, I SUSPEND YOU,” suggesting that the law of the Church had not been followed by Governor Alia for joining politics.
But the Bishop of Gboko, described as one of the closest bishops to Governor Alia, has now come out to set the record straight. He completely denied those allegations and stated that Governor Alia’s mission to rescue the people of Benue was undertaken with the full knowledge of the Church and for the good of humanity.
According to the Bishop of Gboko, Governor Alia remains a true son of the Church and a priest forever. His suspension, the Bishop clarified, is only administrative and not a rejection. He called on all Benue people to stop using the name of Cardinal Onaiyekan to attack the Governor.
He further noted that what Governor Alia is doing in Benue State—bringing back internally displaced persons, paying salaries, and building infrastructure is even greater than Mass in the Church, because he is serving six million people at once.
This denial by the Bishop of Gboko has put to shame those described as “Politician Bishops” and their supporters who have been using Onaiyekan’s statement as a weapon against the Governor.
Truth has prevailed. Alia remains blessed and honored.
