Some residents of Benue State have expressed anger over the rally staged in the state on Thursday in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia:s reelection in 2027.
NATIONAL POST reports that while victims of the early morning attack by herdsmen were still being mourned, some youths and women stormed the streets with posters advancing support for the re-election of Tinubu and Alia.
They held the support rally under the aegis of pro-Tinubu/Alia support groups.
They had placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Tiv, Idoma, Igede support Tinubu’, ‘Idoma, Tiv, Igede Youths are proud of you Alia’, and ‘No Alia, No Benue’, among others.
However, residents of Benue who spoke to our correspondent, described those behind the rally as enemies of the state.
A resident, Godwin Agada told our correspondent that the rally amounted to dancing on the grave of the victims of herdsmen attacks.
"I find it hard, white inconceivable that in less than 24 hours after our people were murdered in their sleep, some people are parading the streets campaigning for Tinubu and the governor.
"As I speak, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital has made an urgent appeal for blood donations to save the lives of injured victims who are currently battling for their lives.
"But instead of going there to donate blood, they busy with endorsements. This is callous and God will judge them," Agada lamented.
Also, an Agatu resident who fled his community owing to the killings said it would never be well with this those behind the rally.
"They have brought curse upon themselves; the blood of our family members killed will speak against them," the resident who identified himself as Mr Ameh said in anger.
Meanwhile, the youth arm of the Idoma apex socio-cultural group, Ochetoha K’Idoma, has also distanced itself from the rally.
President of the Ochetoha K’Idoma youth wing, Comrade Mike Magaji, said no Idoma person was part of the rally.
He described the demonstrators as “hired hungry people” who were paid to launder the image of President Tinubu and Governor Alia.