By Our Reporter

The Nasarawa State Government has strongly condemned what it describes as “baseless and malicious” allegations leveled against Governor Abdullahi A. Sule by a prominent Benue academic, Prof. Zachary Anger Gundu.

Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lafia, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Addra, denounced a viral video in which Prof. Gundu accused Governor Sule of “masking the killings in Benue State” and “forcefully taking over Tiv farmlands in Nasarawa and handing them to Fulani herders.”

Describing the allegations as “spurious and highly disappointing,” Addra said the Governor and the people of Nasarawa State are “deeply pained” by the killings in Benue but will not accept attempts to politicize the tragedy or smear the Governor’s reputation.

“We are dismayed that Prof. Gundu could stoop so low and throw caution to the wind,” Addra said. “These desperate and deliberate instigations aimed at dragging the hard-earned reputation of Governor Sule in the mud have failed in the face of verifiable facts.”

The statement challenged Prof. Gundu to provide “empirical evidence” to back his claims, including proof of land seizure and support to killer herdsmen. “Failure to do so,” Addra warned, “will leave the professor with no option than to retract his statements and tender an unreserved apology. Otherwise, legal action will follow.”

The Nasarawa State Government also denied ever allocating land to Fulani herders or seizing land from any ethnic group, including the Tiv. “No Fulani man has ever approached the state government for land,” the CPS emphasized.

Addra further stated that Governor Sule has consistently demonstrated empathy and solidarity with neighboring Benue State, working in close collaboration with its government to improve border security and promote peaceful coexistence.

He accused Prof. Gundu and others of attempting to inflame tensions through “inflammatory statements” instead of assisting in resolving the security crisis in the region. “Such attitude is a disservice to himself and the people he seeks to impress,” he added.

Highlighting the Sule administration’s efforts in ensuring peace and security, Addra cited partnerships with security agencies, dialogue with ethnic leaders, and cooperation with neighboring states as key strategies that have helped maintain relative peace in Nasarawa.

The government called on the people of Nasarawa and Benue States to disregard the “mischief makers” and instead support both state governments in resolving the ongoing crisis.

“Governor Sule remains committed to building peace and unity. He cannot, and will not, encourage or support any criminal activities under any guise,” the statement concluded.