Charismatic Bishops Kick Against State Of Emergency In Benue

MAKURDI – The Benue State chapter of the Charismatic Bishops Conference in Nigeria, has kicked against calls by some of their colleagues in the vine yard for a declaration of a State of Emergency Rule in Benue.

State Overseer, Charismatic Bishops, Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyegh, who condemned the call at a press conference in Makurdi on Saturday, said that instead of calling for a state of emergency, they should be seen to be standing in the gap for the Governor in prayer.

While he argued that Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia was their brother in the vineyard and must be protected by true men of God, he observed that what the Benue needed at this point in time was their prayers as well as the unity and support of the people for him to succeed.

Nyoonkyegh, also stated that even the Bible admonishes the people to be submissive to authorities, stressing that only God gives authority to people.

Citing the case of Rivers State, as an example, he pointed out that those calling for a state of emergency should not be under the illusion that if a state of emergency was imposed on the state a Benue son would be made Sole Administrator.

Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyegh, further said, “We can not continue talking about the military taking over or call for emergency rule in Benue because even if they (military) are here it is not necessary that a Benue son will be appointed as the Sole Administrator.

“Look at what happened in Rivers. A sole administrator was appointed for Rivers that is from another state.

“As fathers of faith, when you have a son and brother in the vine yard and he is doing well, you say brother keep it up. Recently we were here crying on the issue of insecurity, and there were reasons to support our cries.

“Fr Alia is our brother in the vine yard and we will continue to pray for him to succeed. What we know is that there is no authority that is not given from God.

“And the Bible say we must be submissive to the authorities. Yes we are prophets but we are submissive to the authorities here on earth too.

“What we need here is development and the Governor is developing the state so what else can we ask for. Apart from issues of insecurity which he is trying his best (to tackle) and we are seeing some of his efforts, what fundamental offence has he (governor)ncommitted?” he queried.

The Archbishop further commended President Bola Tinubu for continually standing with the Benue people and is currently directing the Chief of Army Staff to relocate to the state and address the growing insecurity, he observation.