On Sunday, November 10, the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke out against the way Governor Hyacinth Alia’s appointees and local government leaders have been stopping people from holding peaceful events like thanksgiving services. The PDP said this was unfair and against people’s rights to gather and worship.
The latest issue happened when the council chairman for Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Torsaa Ormim, tried to stop a thanksgiving service for Senator Titus Zam from Benue North West. The service was held at NKST Naka, but the chairman showed up and attempted to disrupt the event.
In a statement shared by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the party condemned the actions, calling them a violation of the people’s freedom to worship. The statement said, “This is a clear violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of worship, a key part of our democracy.”
This wasn’t the first time such an event had happened. The PDP reminded the people of several similar incidents earlier this year. On Sunday, May 12, 2024, a group led by Philip Achua, who was the Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha Local Government, used force to disrupt a thanksgiving mass in honor of Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher at the Annunciation Catholic Rectory in Tsuwe Daka.
Later, in June and July 2024, other attempts were made to stop thanksgiving services, including one at NKST Ihugh, where local government leaders used violence to interrupt church activities. In some cases, people resisted and the services were able to continue, but the PDP said these actions were wrong.
In the statement, the PDP said, “This trend must stop. The people of Benue have the right to celebrate their blessings and thank God without fear of interference.”
The party called on all citizens of Benue to stay united and protect their rights, urging them to stand firm against what they called “democratic despotism” — meaning unfair actions from the government.
