The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bashiru Ajibola.

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of the escalating crisis in Benue State, describing him as a detribalised leader committed to fairness and justice.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Friday, Basiru said President Tinubu’s approach to the protracted violence in Benue demonstrates statesmanship, not partisanship.

“As a statesman, you don’t expect the president to take sides with anybody in the conflict,” he said. “He is supposed to have a dispassionate consideration of the issue and charge state actors to address the various challenges.”

The APC chieftain noted that Tinubu’s visit to Makurdi on June 18 provided a valuable platform for different voices, including that of the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, whose remarks during the town hall meeting captured the concerns of the people.

“The fact that the president gave the Tor Tiv the opportunity to speak validates the visit,” Basiru added. “It allowed for multiple perspectives to be aired, especially those reflecting the pains of the people.”

Responding to critics who accuse Tinubu of favouring certain regional interests in the ongoing conflict, Basiru insisted the president remains neutral and focused on solutions.

“The president is a Nigerian, not a northern or southern leader. He is detribalised and came in person to Makurdi to address concerns about the lives and property of Nigerians,” he said. “For him, human lives are more valuable than property, including cattle.”

Benue has faced repeated attacks by suspected herders, with over 160 people reportedly killed in recent months and thousands displaced. The Tor Tiv described the killings as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits”.

President Tinubu’s visit came after mounting national and international condemnation. During the visit, he directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and restore peace to the region.

Basiru concluded by reaffirming the president’s resolve to address the Benue crisis without bias and with full consideration for national unity and human dignity.

ChannelsTV