By Levi I. Shaapera.*
Many years ago, in the great animal kingdom, there ruled a leader named Ikyu. His reign was marked by harsh, oppressive, and dictatorial rule. One of his most feared decrees was that no one should engage in any form of argument, be it public or private. A nearly impossible law to obey.
One day, a very wise and popular animal called Alom (Rabbit) was accused of arguing. Though, as you would agree, one can hardly argue alone. Yet, in this curious case, only Alom was convicted for violating the decree. His punishment was death by hanging.
To everyone’s surprise, Alom accepted the judgment without protest. However, before his execution, Alom made a humble request for the good of the great animal kingdom:
“You may execute me, but please take me across the river first. That way, argument will perish with me, and no other animal will suffer my fate. After all, argument cannot cross a river. If it ever tries to return, the river will drown it.”
The animals, convinced by his reasoning, lifted Alom onto their heads and began wading across the river. But midway, the wise one suddenly exclaimed, “Wait! I just stepped on a fish, I must catch it!“
All the animals immediately chorused in argument, “That is impossible! How can you step on a fish when you are sitting on our heads?“
Alom smiled slyly and reminded them, “Ah, but did the decree not forbid argument? You have all broken the law. Now, you too must be hanged across the river!“
It was only then that the animals realised the true problem was not Alom . It was Ikyu and his dictatorial leadership. To mark this revelation, they added “Lan” (meaning poor, weak, or lacking) to the king’s name, “Ikyu,” thus renaming him Ikyulan. [Part of] The Tiv people call the antelope Ikyulan today, but many do not know that it was originally called “Ikyu” before “Lan” was added to its name.
Be that as it may, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State rose to power on a wave of public trust and high expectations, with many viewing him as a fresh alternative to traditional politicians. His lingering disagreement with the former Governor George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was resolved by the court of public opinion, with my humble self included, in favour of Governor Alia.
However, recent developments in his administration have begun to cast doubt on his leadership style, raising concerns about his commitment to democratic governance, due process, and institutional stability.
In September 2024, a dispute arose between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, over the handling of relief materials intended for Internally Displaced Persons. Hon. Ugbor secured these materials from the National Emergency Management Agency and arranged for their transport from Jos to Makurdi for temporary storage, pending distribution. However, upon arrival, Governor Alia ordered the seizure of the truck carrying the relief items, alleging potential diversion. His aides publicly accused Ugbor of misappropriation, leading to a defamation lawsuit by Hon. Ugbor. The relief materials were eventually distributed to IDPs in Kwande and Ushongo LGAs after intervention by state officials and NEMA representatives. Many critiques sentimentally sided with the Governor, with the “stakeholders” controversy in mind.
Another controversy erupted when Governor Alia suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Fidelis Mnyim, over the state’s involvement in a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. Alia distanced himself from the lawsuit and suspended Mnyim for lack of consultation. However, after Mnyim withdrew Benue from the case, the governor reinstated him, highlighting internal governance issues such as poor communication, impulsive decision-making, and weak executive control.
Most recently, the Governor launched a public attack on the former Secretary to the State Government, revered Professor Joseph Alakali, insinuating corruption by referring to him as “ormbaiv” (thief). Alakali swiftly refuted the allegations, stating that during his tenure, despite the denial of his entitlements by the Governor, he refunded ₦75 million to the state treasury and had no history of financial misconduct. The Governor’s failure to pursue a formal inquiry before making damaging accusations raised concerns about his commitment to due process and fairness in governance.
Shortly afterwards, the Director-General, Bureau of Internal Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), publicly denied reports of mass killings in the Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area, dismissing them as “fake news.” However, within 48 hours of his denial, armed assailants reportedly further attacked the Mbadura, Kumakwagh, and Iyav communities in Turan, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 19 residents. This sequence of events not only contradicted Gbamwuan’s assertions but also intensified public scrutiny of the administration’s handling of security issues. Critics argue that such denials reflect a broader pattern of the government’s failure to acknowledge and effectively address the escalating violence in the region. Till today, Governor Alia has not distanced himself from the denial.
Perhaps the most troubling of all recent events was the purported removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambwese. In a controversial move, the Benue State House of Assembly, acting on a letter from the Governor, passed a resolution calling on Governor Alia to remove the Chief Judge from office. The lawmakers, acting on the letter, accused Ikpambwese of misconduct, including financial mismanagement. However, the NJC, NBA, legal experts and civil rights activists have raised serious concerns about the lack of due process, executive overreach, and judicial intimidation.
Worse still, the 13 members of the House who democratically opposed the purported removal were reportedly suspended by the House. The suspension, widely seen as an attempt to suppress legislative dissent, further reinforced concerns about democratic backsliding under Governor Alia’s leadership. By sidelining opposition voices in the legislature, the Governor demonstrated a growing inclination towards unilateral rule, undermining the checks and balances essential for democratic governance.
Could this be the slow burn of Governor Alia’s political capital? History has shown that unchecked power, like a slow-burning fire, consumes even its strongest foundation. Just as the animals of old realised that Ikyu’s tyranny, not Alom, was the true problem, the people of Benue are gradually seeing beyond the façades of goodwill and payment of salary. Perhaps, as “Lan” was added to “Ikyu,” the once unwavering chorus of “Yes, Fada” may fade into an undeniable “No, Fada.”
When Ikyu sought to silence argument, he failed to realise that truth cannot be buried by decree. The very law he imposed became his undoing, as the animals, in their moment of reckoning, turned his rule into a lesson for generations. In a similar vein, Governor Alia’s tyrannical rule, climaxed by his decision to heap sand, blocking the judiciary from accessing the courts, mirrors the folly of Ikyu . Justice, like argument, is not so easily suppressed—it finds a way, even if it must be carried across the river.
Should the people of Benue eventually say “No, Fada,” it will not be out of rebellion but out of necessity—just as the animals saw that Ikyu’s rule had to end for order to be restored. Whether the barriers of today will be washed away by the tides of justice in 2027, only God and time shall tell.
Levi I. Shaapera, Esq., is a seasoned legal practitioner, prolific writer, and commentator on governance and public affairs. He is the Principal Counsel at Leis Law Clinic and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of LawCompass Electronic Reports (LCER), a platform dedicated to reporting cases, laws, and legal developments with in-depth analysis and fearless critique.
