Nigeria’s foremost pro-democracy and human rights organisation, the Campaign for Democracy (CD) has sent a warning to the Benue State Governor, to desist from further attempts to suppress the opposition in the state.
This warning is contained in a letter signed by the CD National President, Rev. Ifeanyi Odili, against the backdrop of the recent attack on the convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during a visit to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, by allegedly sponsored hoodlums.
The human rights organisation warned that further attempts by Governor Alia “to suppress opposition, muzzle dissent or harass citizens will be met with stiff resistance – legally, politically and morally.”
The CD in its letter also threatened to formally petition Pope Leo, the Vatican and other appropriate organs of the Catholic Church to probe the conduct of Governor Alia, who is also a priest under the church.
“A priest who uses instruments of state to oppress the people he swore to serve has brought disrepute to the Church and the priesthood,” the CD letter to Governor Alia partly stated.
It added that Benue State deserves “leadership and not lordship,” reminding the Governor that he was “elected to protect all citizens, not to persecute anyone.”
The CD therefore warned Alia, adding that it would “not watch in silence while you reduce Benue to a one-party fiefdom.”
Below is the full text of the CD letter to Governor Alia:
His Excellency
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia
Governor, Benue State
Government House, Makurdi
Your Excellency,
YOUR RECKLESS ABUSE OF POWER, ANTI-DEMOCRATIC CONDUCT AND HARASSMENT OF THE OPPOSITION IN BENUE STATE CAN NOT BE TOLERATED
The Campaign for Democracy, CD, a foremost pro-democracy and human rights organization in Nigeria writes to condemn in the strongest terms your brazen assault on democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law in Benue State.
It is both tragic and shameful that a man ordained as a Reverend Father in the Catholic Church — an institution that preaches peace, justice, and human dignity globally— has become the chief architect of political intimidation in Benue.
Your open hostility toward opposition parties and leaders is not just undemocratic. It is tyrannical. It is a direct affront to the sacrifices of Nigerians who bled and died to enthrone democracy in this country. You did not fight for it. You inherited it. Yet you are the one desecrating it.
The New Testament teaches that before God, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free. Before God we are all equal. Yet your actions spit on this sacred biblical truth. You have turned Benue into a state where only your loyalists enjoy rights, while every other citizen is branded an enemy. This hypocrisy is scandalous and puts to question your suitability for both the cassock and the exalted office you hold.
We have received credible reports that you deployed state resources and political thugs to unlawfully block Mr. Peter Obi, a presidential candidate in the 2027 presidential election and senior Nigerian citizen, from entering Benue State to mourn with and commiserate with victims of the recent senseless killings.
Let it be stated clearly: No governor has the constitutional authority to ban any Nigerian from moving freely within Nigeria. Your action is a gross violation of Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which guarantees freedom of movement to every citizen.
Your only excuse is that he did not give you prior notice. That excuse holds no water in law. Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of movement throughout the country. The Constitution does not require any citizen to seek a governor’s permission before entering any state. To claim otherwise is to endorse illegality and tyranny.
This is not governance. This is gangsterism clothed in government.
We hereby serve you notice: Any further attempt to suppress opposition, muzzle dissent, or harass citizens will be met with stiff resistance – legally, politically, and morally.
We may also be compelled to formally petition the The Pope’s office and the governing body of the Catholic Church and other appropriate organs of the Catholic Church to investigate your conduct. A priest who uses the instruments of state to oppress the people he swore to serve has brought disrepute to the Church and to the priesthood.
Mr. Governor, Benue deserves leadership, not lordship. You were elected to protect all citizens, not to persecute anyone.
The Campaign for Democracy will not watch in silence while you reduce Benue to a one-party fiefdom.
E-Signed
Rev. Ifeanyi Odili
National President
Campaign for Democracy (CD)
10/09/2026
