Political Rivalries Blamed for Benue Unrest, Civil Groups Demand Tinubu’s Intervention
The crisis in Benue State has taken a dangerous political turn as civil society organizations (CSOs) raise alarm over what they describe as a “power-fueled cycle of violence” destabilizing communities and threatening national security. In a strongly worded joint statement, over a dozen CSOs have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently and break what they describe as a “toxic web of political rivalry and state complicity.”
The Unseen Hand Behind the Bloodshed?
While farmer-herder clashes and communal tensions have long plagued Benue, CSOs now argue that political actors are fanning the flames for personal and partisan gain.
“This is no longer just about ethnic tensions or resource conflict,” said Lydia Agada of the Centre for Grassroots Stability. “We are seeing evidence of organized political power-play—where violence is used as a tool to intimidate, destabilize, and control.”
The organizations allege that local warlords and political thugs are being armed and protected by powerful figures seeking to manipulate upcoming local elections and assert dominance in the state’s volatile political hierarchy.
A Cry for Presidential Intervention
In their open letter to President Tinubu, the CSOs urged the federal government to launch an independent investigation into the political undercurrents of the Benue conflict and deploy security forces free from local political interference.
“This is a matter of national security,” the letter read. “Benue cannot be allowed to descend into lawlessness while politicians play chess with human lives.”
They also urged the president to hold complicit state officials accountable, warning that failure to act swiftly could embolden similar political violence in other fragile regions across the country.
A Pattern of Silence?
Critics argue that both the state and federal governments have turned a blind eye to the pattern of politically motivated violence in Benue. Despite repeated attacks on villages, destruction of property, and mass displacement, arrests have been minimal, and convictions nearly nonexistent.
“The silence from key political figures is deafening,” said Prof. Matthew Adzuana, a conflict resolution expert based in Makurdi. “It raises serious questions about who benefits from the chaos.”
Civilian Toll Rising
Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact is devastating. Thousands have been displaced in the past few months alone, with camps in Makurdi, Guma, and Logo LGAs overflowing. Women and children are bearing the brunt, as schools and health centers have been forced to shut down in high-risk areas.
“The people of Benue are tired of living like fugitives in their own land,” said Esther Ochanya, a volunteer with Benue Relief Network. “They need security, justice, and peace—not more politics.”
What Happens Next?
As Nigeria grapples with insecurity on multiple fronts, the Benue crisis is fast becoming a test of President Tinubu’s ability to confront politically embedded violence and restore trust in government authority.
Whether or not the president answers the call from CSOs remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Benue is bleeding, and behind the curtain, politics may be pulling the strings.
