Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared Wednesday, (today), a public holiday to welcome President Bola Tinubu to the state, even as the state grapples with a surge in deadly attacks attributed to armed herders.
The public holiday, announced via an official memo signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Amber, is intended to honour the president during his one-day visit to the state.
“The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday 18th June 2025 as Public Holiday. This is in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, who is scheduled for a one-day visit to the state to commiserate with the government and people over incessant security crises,” the statement read.
The memo, however, clarified that essential service workers — including health personnel, security agencies, and banks — are exempt from the holiday.
“Benue residents are urged to come out en masse to receive the President and his entourage to the State, on this Presidential Commiseration Visit,” it added.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from civil society groups and residents who question the appropriateness of a celebratory public holiday in the face of widespread violence and displacement.
Benue State has witnessed persistent attacks in recent years, especially in rural communities where armed herdsmen have been accused of killing hundreds and displacing tens of thousands.
Humanitarian agencies continue to report worsening conditions in Internally Displaced Persons camps across the state.
President Tinubu, who announced plans for the visit on Monday, is expected to meet with key stakeholders in Makurdi to discuss the crisis and propose steps toward restoring peace.
Critics argue that the tone of preparations — including calls for a “colourful procession” and mass mobilization of support groups — sends mixed signals.
A separate letter dated June 17, signed by Francis Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Groups Mobilization, directed support groups to line the streets in a ceremonial show of solidarity from the airport to the Government House.
“The Support Groups Constituency is required to form a colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession from Airport to Wurukum Roundabout and down to Government House Makurdi, where the President will address a Town-Hall Meeting,” the letter stated.
It further instructed leaders of the support groups to coordinate with the Governor’s Office for accreditation “strictly by the numbers and colours.”