Abdullahi Sule, the current governor of Nasarawa State, and all previous governors of Benue State are to serve on a newly formed Committee of Elders for the state, per President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
Special Advisor to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this on Wednesday in an X account post.
Dare, who was part of the presidential delegation that visited areas hit by the recent spate of killings, recounted some of the president’s instructions, saying that President Tinubu had urged Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to collaborate with all parties involved and be a father figure to all residents of the state, irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliation.
He went on to say that President Tinubu had pleaded with the people of Benue to band together and help the government sort out the problem for good.
Reports indicate that around 200 people were killed, numerous others injured, and hundreds forced to flee their homes in the sad attack that occurred in Yelewata village.
The President stressed the need of traditional leaders working closely with the state administration to keep the peace. To address one of the underlying reasons of the violence, he also ordered Governor Alia to acquire ranching land.
He stated that the newly formed Committee of Elders, which now includes all previous governors as well as the Nasarawa State governor, will be crucial in advising and mediating the peace process.