Akume’s Aide Fires Back at Governor Alia Over Insecurity Allegations in Benue

Mr. Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has responded to recent allegations made by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, concerning the state’s security situation.

Speaking on Channels Television last Friday, Governor Alia criticized Akume and his allies for what he described as a troubling silence amid escalating insecurity in Benue. Alia, who established a judicial panel to investigate the crisis, claimed the panel’s interim report implicated unnamed politicians operating from Abuja and the National Assembly in the violence plaguing the state. He promised to make the report public by Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week.

In a statement released on Saturday, Kuanum defended Akume, asserting that the SGF has been actively engaged in efforts to combat insecurity in Benue and has consistently kept President Bola Tinubu informed of the situation.

Kuanum suggested that Governor Alia either lacks understanding of federal administrative processes or is deliberately trying to sway public sentiment against Akume by demanding that he address the media directly.

“If Governor Alia expects the SGF to engage in media briefings over his role in tackling insecurity, then he misunderstands how government operates—or worse, he’s intentionally manipulating public opinion,” Kuanum said.

He urged the governor to present the names of those allegedly indicted in the panel report to both President Tinubu and the Federal Security Council without delay.

“As a sitting member of the Federal Security Council, Governor Alia knows how the Federal Executive Council works and how security interventions are carried out through official channels. The SGF, by virtue of his role, contributes in ways that may not be publicly visible but are strategically impactful,” the statement read.

Kuanum also defended lawmakers associated with Akume, especially those frequently targeted by Alia’s accusations. He emphasized that National Assembly members from Benue—particularly Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende—have been vocal in spotlighting the state’s security woes on the floors of both chambers.

“The so-called ‘cronies’ the governor refers to have actually been among the loudest advocates for federal attention to Benue’s security challenges,” he noted.

Addressing Alia’s claims about the panel report, Kuanum cautioned that such reports must go through established vetting and approval procedures before they can be considered official. However, he welcomed the governor’s intention to make the report public, urging him to name those allegedly complicit in the violence.

“If Governor Alia believes the issue is urgent enough to bypass the normal administrative process, then he must follow through by naming names. National security is at stake,” Kuanum asserted.

He concluded by calling on Governor Alia to take responsibility and formally present the findings to the presidency, the Federal Security Council, and the general public.

“Benue’s enemies must be exposed if the governor truly believes they exist. He must act decisively and transparently,” Kuanum stated.