The apology offered by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime for calling his own Governor “this thing” is by every standard, an insincere apology.
A sincere apology would have been directed to the Governor and not broadcast to no one in particular.
Jime is an indigene of Makurdi Local Government Area, which has benefited the most from the developmental strides of Governor Hyacinth Alia over the past three years.
Is it the roads Governor Hyacinth Alia has constructed in Makurdi that earned him the label of a “terrorist” in Jime’s estimation, or is Jime simply piqued by his inability to secure a senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections?
If that statement was merely intended to massage the ego of his audience, Jime ought to remember that the person he referred to is still his Governor, so long as he has not renounced his Benue State citizenship.
As a former Speaker and a two-term member of the National Assembly, who is well versed in protocol and the dignity accorded to holders of high public office, he should exercise restraint and accord the office of the Governor the respect it deserves, irrespective of political differences.
Whether anyone, including Jime has a bone to chew with the Governor or hates him for personal reasons, there is every need to at least respect the exalted office he is occupying.
In his statement earlier, Jime stated that he regretted the “characterization” of the Governor as “this thing terrorising us”, the apology is not directed to the victims (Governor ALIA and the Benue people), not deep enough and not commensurate to the degree of the insult to the exalted office.
We demand that Jime apologise specifically to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of Benue state, not only to “some of you who found that offensive”.
He is yet to Apologise to Governor Alia and the Benue people.
Kula Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.
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