The Benue Association of Former Elected Local Government Council Chairmen (BAFELCC) has refuted a petition tagged “Formal and Urgent Complaint” against the Catholic Church submitted by a group styling itself as the Coalition of Gubernatorial Aspirants, Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue State.
The association expressed displeasure that the petition was not only misleading and exaggerated but a calculated act of political desperation aimed at dragging the Church into partisan politics and discrediting the present administration.
Speaking on behalf of the association at a press conference held on Wednesday, at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Makurdi, former elected chairman of Vandeikya Local Government, Hon. Stephen Mantar, explained that the petition was a deliberate attempt to misinform the public about alleged statements made by the Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia during a Church function at All Saints Catholic Church, Tsenge.
“The Governor’s remarks were metaphorical and meant to address issues of insecurity rather than a literal call to violence,” Hon. Mantar stated.
He added that the petition was politically motivated, using religious sentiment to gain relevance and sympathy, which is dangerous and must be discouraged for the sake of the state’s unity and sanity.
Hon. Mantar maintained that allegations that worshippers no longer feel safe in the Governor’s presence are false and charged political leaders and aspirants to desist from dishonest, mischievous, and inciting statements that may disrupt public peace.
The chairman reiterated BAFELCC’s commitment to supporting the truth, stability, and responsible political engagement, and urged political parties to enforce discipline, accountability, and honourable conduct among aspirants and party faithfuls.
He also condemned dual party membership, conducting party activities without principles, and other emerging desperate conduct affecting politics, calling on the public to reject the petition in its entirety.
