Benue Govt slams Emmanuel Jime for describing Gov Alia as ‘this thing’, demands direct apology  

The Benue State Government has criticised former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, over his recent remarks describing Governor Hyacinth Alia as “this thing terrorising us,” describing his subsequent apology as “perfunctory” and insufficient.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the government said Jime’s apology was not properly directed at the Governor and the people of Benue State, insisting that it fell short of what is expected from a former public office holder.

According to the statement, a sincere apology should have been directly addressed to Governor Alia rather than being “broadcast to no one in particular.”

The government also faulted the tone and content of Jime’s earlier comments, describing them as disrespectful to the office of the Governor and unbecoming of someone who has served as Speaker and a two-term member of the National Assembly.

“Jime is an indigene of Makurdi Local Government Area, which has benefited the most from the developmental strides of Governor Hyacinth Alia over the past three years,” the statement said, questioning his criticism of the administration despite what it described as visible infrastructural development in the area.

It further suggested that Jime’s comments may have been politically motivated, alleging that they could be linked to dissatisfaction over his inability to secure a senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Is it the roads Governor Hyacinth Alia has constructed in Makurdi that earned him the label of a ‘terrorist’ in Jime’s estimation, or is Jime simply piqued by his inability to secure a senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections?” the statement queried.

The government stressed that regardless of political differences, respect must be accorded to the office of the Governor, warning against what it described as unnecessary personal attacks on elected leaders.

“Whether anyone, including Jime, has a bone to chew with the governor or dislikes him for personal reasons, there is every need to at least respect the exalted office he is occupying,” it added.

The statement also rejected Jime’s clarification that he regretted the “characterisation” of Governor Alia, insisting that the apology was neither directed at the Governor nor the people of Benue State.

“We demand that Jime apologise specifically to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of Benue State, not only to ‘some of you who found that offensive,’” the statement said.

The government maintained that Jime is yet to tender a proper apology to both the governor and the people of the state, reiterating its call for what it described as a full and unequivocal apology.