Storm in Makurdi: Benue Governor’s Office Suspends Chief Press Secretary Over #EndBenueGenocide Protest Involvement

A major controversy is erupting in Benue State following the sudden and indefinite suspension of Mr. Ukeyima, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, over his alleged participation in the viral #EndBenueGenocide protest. The protest, which has been gaining momentum both online and on the streets, is a citizens’ outcry against persistent killings and insecurity plaguing various communities in the Middle Belt state.

According to a formal suspension letter dated June 15, 2025, and signed by the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Terver Atu, Mr. Ukeyima has been immediately relieved of all official duties. The letter, which quickly made rounds on social media platforms shortly after it was issued, cited insubordination and actions "deemed as working against the explicit directives" of his principal as the core reason behind the decision.

“In view of your recent actions which have been interpreted as defiance of clear directives from your principal, and which constitute a serious breach of trust, this is to inform you that you are hereby suspended indefinitely from your position as Chief Press Secretary, effective immediately,” the suspension notice stated unequivocally.

It is believed that Mr. Ukeyima, known popularly in activist circles as “Aluta General,” participated in or openly supported the ongoing #EndBenueGenocide protests, a grassroots-driven movement gaining national traction. The movement, backed by celebrities, civil society groups, and indigenes of Benue in the diaspora, is demanding urgent government intervention and security reforms in the wake of brutal killings by unidentified gunmen in several parts of the state.

In the past month alone, reports of massacres in rural communities such as Guma, Logo, and Ukum have dominated headlines. Mass burials, wailing families, and disturbing images of displaced persons have flooded the internet. But rather than address the growing insecurity with empathy and action, critics now say the Benue State Government appears more concerned with silencing internal dissent.

The decision to suspend Mr. Ukeyima, a media aide whose job was to communicate government positions and respond to public sentiments, is being seen as a tone-deaf and repressive act. Many residents and political observers are calling the move “an attack on democratic freedom” and “a betrayal of the people’s right to protest injustice.”

Social media users did not waste time in voicing their outrage. Hashtags like #ReinstateUkeyima, #FreeBenueVoices, and #EndBenueGenocide trended across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram shortly after the suspension was made public. Several youth groups took to the streets of Makurdi and Gboko in protest, some carrying placards with Mr. Ukeyima’s face and the caption, “Silenced for Speaking the Truth.”

One activist, who identified herself simply as Mimi, told reporters that the government’s move is “a desperate attempt to intimidate voices from within who are genuinely pained by the carnage happening across Benue.”

“It’s sad that when officials join the people in asking for safety and justice, they’re punished. What kind of leadership are we building when peace-loving civil servants are thrown out for identifying with the cries of their people?” she asked.

Mr. Ukeyima, whose tenure as Chief Press Secretary has been marked by a flair for social engagement and youth-driven narratives, has yet to issue an official response to his suspension. However, sources close to him say he remains “unshaken” and believes he acted on moral grounds rather than political expediency.

“This isn’t about politics anymore,” a confidant told newsmen. “It’s about the sanctity of human life. Aluta General is not afraid to speak when the silence of power is killing people.”

The government, however, seems unbending. Hon. Terver Atu, who signed the suspension letter, reiterated in a brief statement to local journalists that loyalty and chain-of-command are non-negotiable in governance.

“You cannot serve in this administration and go against the directives of your principal, especially not publicly. That’s basic ethics. Discipline must be maintained,” he said, without addressing whether the suspension was linked directly to the #EndBenueGenocide movement.

Meanwhile, opposition voices and some senior politicians within the state are already weighing in on the unfolding drama. A former House of Representatives member from the state, who spoke under anonymity, described the suspension as “a scandalous misuse of power.”

“You suspend someone for standing with the people? That’s exactly what the people are protesting against. This government is gradually making enemies out of its own allies,” the politician said.

The development has also caught the attention of international human rights observers, some of whom have been documenting the killings in Benue and other flashpoints in Nigeria’s North Central region. With increased scrutiny on how local governments are handling internal crises and responding to citizen-led protests, analysts believe this suspension may have opened a new chapter of political unrest for the Benue State Government.

What makes this situation even more complex is Mr. Ukeyima’s growing influence among young people in the state. As an activist-turned-press secretary, his ability to resonate with street-level sentiment made him a bridge between the government and aggrieved citizens. Now, with his sudden exit, that bridge appears to be burning fast.

The next few days are expected to witness more protests and possibly more fallout within the administration. Already, rumors are swirling about resignations being considered by other aides who share similar frustrations. Whether or not the governor will reconsider the suspension remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the action has stirred a hornet’s nest.

The people of Benue are watching. The nation is watching. And with Mr. Ukeyima now cast as a symbolic figure in the growing cry for justice in the Middle Belt, the storm is only just beginning.