By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula, has criticised former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his recent comments on Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing the remarks as “unfortunate and unwarranted.”
Kula, in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, urged Kwankwaso to focus on political issues in Kano rather than interfere in the affairs of Benue State.
Kwankwaso had criticised Governor Alia over the controversy surrounding the September 8 visit of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Benue. He also commented on the political disagreement between Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Responding, Kula said Kwankwaso’s criticism was linked to the disruption of Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, insisting that the state government was not responsible for the incident.
According to him, Obi’s visit was not properly coordinated with the state authorities, adding that Kwankwaso subsequently accused Governor Alia of disrupting the visit.
Kula further alleged that the incident was orchestrated by individuals seeking to portray the governor negatively.
He said Governor Alia, having been elected by the people of Benue State, deserved respect for his mandate irrespective of political differences.
“Someone needs to tell the former Governor of Kano State that, rather than interfering in Benue’s internal affairs or making unfounded claims about the relationship between Governor Alia and Senator George Akume, he should focus on the political challenges confronting him in Kano,” Kula said.
The governor’s spokesperson also said Kwankwaso should pay greater attention to the political challenges confronting his party in Kano rather than making personal attacks against another state’s governor.
“We understand his misplaced grudge against Governor Alia,” he said.
Kula also defended Governor Alia against what he described as attempts to interfere in Benue’s political affairs, maintaining that the people of the state were capable of assessing their government and determining their political future.
“Kwankwaso should face Kano politics. He has enough to explain about why his party performed so abysmally in the last by-elections conducted in his state. He must respect the people’s mandate in Benue and offer ideas, not insults,” he said.
The exchange followed an earlier incident in which Peter Obi’s convoy was blocked by youths while attempting to proceed to Yelwata. The Benue State Government denied involvement, while the police said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade.
