The Agony of Benue Workers
The Agony of Benue Workers
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Benue State Chapter, has been on strike for over a month, and the Benue State government appears indifferent to the crisis. The prolonged strike has left the judiciary paralyzed, creating a ripple effect of injustice, hardship, and economic stagnation across the state.
Detainees languish in overcrowded detention facilities with no courts to hear their cases. For those awaiting trial, the situation is akin to enslavement, as they remain confined indefinitely in prisons with no hope of justice. Business disputes remain unresolved, leaving a trail of frustration and uncertainty for entrepreneurs and investors. In a state already grappling with economic challenges, this judicial impasse only deepens the misery.
Adding to this bleak reality, the Alia-led administration has compounded the situation with arbitrary actions. Some businesses have been sealed without lawful justification, with their owners unable to challenge these actions due to the ongoing strike. The judiciary, a vital pillar of democracy and justice, lies in ruins in Benue State, leaving citizens without platforms to protect and enforce their rights.
The lack of genuine concern from the state government is glaring. Instead of meaningful engagement, the administration opts for “window-dressing,” cheap publicity stunts, and deceptive gestures.
The public remains largely unaware of the strike due to the government’s deliberate attempts to downplay its severity. This neglect is a betrayal of the very principles of governance and accountability.
Judiciary staff, who have gone months without salaries and allowances, are now begging to feed their families during the festive season. This degradation of public servants is a stain on the conscience of any responsible government. The neglect of Benue workers underscores the administration’s disdain for the welfare of its people.
According to an academic Don, James Terfa Ph D, “Governor Alia’s approach to governance continues to reflect political indiscipline and a lack of genuine leadership. His Machiavellian tactics, marked by deceit and pretense, betray the trust reposed in him by the people of Benue. Enough of deceit and pretense by the man on cassock”.
This terrible trend has become the rallying cry of disillusioned citizens who can no longer tolerate a government that prioritizes optics over substance.
It is imperative for the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to intervene in this escalating crisis. The plight of judiciary staff, detainees, business owners, and the ordinary citizens of Benue State should not be ignored. The world must bear witness to the neglect, incompetence, and disregard for human dignity perpetrated by the Alia administration.
The current state of Benue is worse than a lawless jungle. If immediate action is not taken to resolve the strike, restore the judiciary, and address the grievances of workers, the Alia administration will go down in history as a symbol of failure and despair. The people of Benue deserve better.
