Northern CAN Visits Benue: “You Are Not Alone” – Leaders Reassure Governor Alia Amid Killings

In a profound show of compassion and unity, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), covering the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), visited Benue State to express unwavering solidarity following the resurgence of deadly attacks in the region. The delegation’s core message to the government and people of Benue was simple yet powerful: “You are not alone.”

The solemn visit took place at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, where Governor Hyacinth Alia received the delegation led by Reverend J.J. Hayab, along with bishops, senior pastors, and prominent leaders from diverse Christian denominations.

This high-level spiritual condolence visit came in the aftermath of renewed violent attacks in the state, reaffirming that the pain and grief experienced in Benue is deeply shared across Northern Nigeria’s Christian community.

A Unified Front of Faith and Empathy

The presence of a diverse and ecumenical team of Christian leaders sent a clear message of collective grief and concern for the affected communities. This visit followed closely after the official sympathy visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who also came to Benue to personally offer condolences and highlight the federal government’s commitment to the situation.

Speaking emotionally at the gathering, Governor Hyacinth Alia described the moment as both spiritually reviving and emotionally moving. He praised the delegation for their courage and empathy in physically visiting during such troubled times.

“You risked your lives to be here tonight. As I shook hands with each of you, I felt warmth, I felt love,” said the Governor.

He invoked the African philosophy of communal identity, stating:

“This is what Christianity is: ‘I am because you are, and you are because I am.’”

Governor Alia emphasized that the combined visits from both the federal government and religious leaders reaffirmed the fact that Benue is not abandoned in its battle against insecurity. He encouraged Christian leaders to broaden their scope of influence and play more visible roles in the nation’s political discourse and policymaking.

“Until you get to the formula table, you won’t understand the equation,” he said, implying the importance of religious voices in national transformation and governance.

Despite the somber context of the visit, Governor Alia acknowledged some of the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidies, noting them as necessary although painful steps toward achieving macroeconomic stability in Nigeria.

Not Just A Visit – A Call to Justice

In his heartfelt remarks, Rev. J.J. Hayab stressed that their presence in Benue was deeply intentional, aimed at showing physical solidarity rather than just issuing distant press releases or generic statements.

“We didn’t just want to issue statements from afar. We came to tell you face-to-face: you are not alone,” Hayab said firmly.

He drew a clear line between genuine pastoral herdsmen and those perpetrating violence, asserting:

“When terrorists kill sleeping children, women, and students, don’t call them herdsmen. That is not who herdsmen are. Call them what they are — criminals.”

Rev. Hayab warned that the violence in Benue, Nigeria’s agricultural heartland, poses a grave threat to national food security, urging immediate action to prevent worsening of the humanitarian and economic crises.

CAN Benue Applauds Governor Alia’s Governance

Reverend Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, the Vice-Chairman of CAN in Benue State, also spoke during the event. He lauded the administration of Governor Alia for fulfilling key governance promises despite the ongoing security challenges.

“Here in Benue, no civil servant is owed current salaries. Pensioners are rejoicing. Our governor is a promise keeper, a talk-and-do leader,” Ugbede remarked.

He added that the governor’s name, “Iormem”, meaning “the people have rested,” is beginning to manifest in reality through his administration’s efforts to ensure peace, accountability, and transparency.

The visiting delegation featured representatives from all major Christian blocs in the region, including Catholic, Baptist, ECWA, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), PEACAN, and White Garment churches, illustrating a united Christian community standing together in times of sorrow.