Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia Comes Under Attack By Fellow Priest For Denying Genocide Against Christians

By Doreen Ogboku

In what is obviously a strong condemnation for denying the truth, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has been criticized by a fellow priest, Rev. Fr. Prince Chidi Philip over his recent statement that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Alia had spoken following the recent declaration by the United States of America President, Donald Trump that Nigeria has been witnessing genocide against Christians particularly in the Middle Belt.

Trump’s declaration had come with a threat of military intervention against the perpetrators if the government of Nigeria failed to reverse the trend.

Following Trump’s obvious readiness to confront the terrorists and other blood sucking elements perpetuating the mass killings in Nigeria, many Nigerians have been speaking in support or against the move.

Those speaking against it, are those obviously benefitting from the actions of the terrorists and bandits since available records everywhere particularly in the northern part of Nigeria clearly show that there is genocide against Christians.

Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, obviously desperate to safe-guard his chances of returning to power in 2027 chose to speak in the same vein like his political counterparts and not as a Christian in a priestly robe. Hence, another Priest, Prince Chidi Philip chose to describe him as he is. Below is the write up now trending in the social media.

“Even though he is no longer in union with the Church because of his political ambition, choosing a political throne over priestly vows, the mark of ordination never disappears. Once a priest, always a priest. And because of that, we expect truth, courage, and moral clarity from him, not political gymnastics.

While communities in Benue have been wiped out, churches burnt, farmers murdered, women assaulted, and villages taken over, Governor Alia stands before the world and boldly declares:

“There is no religious genocide in Benue.”

A Catholic priest trained for years to defend the weak now turns around to defend power. A man ordained to speak truth now speaks like a man terrified of losing his political seat.

Tell me, what could be more shameful than a shepherd who denies the suffering of his own flock?

The Church was right to forbid priests from holding political office. Politics demands compromise. Priesthood demands truth. And when a man tries to mix both, truth is always the first casualty.

Instead of standing with the persecuted, he stands with those who want the world to believe nothing is happening. Instead of crying out for his people, he cries out to protect his government relationships. Instead of defending the Church, he defends the narrative that benefits politicians.

How does a man who once preached the Gospel become compromise about injustice because power tastes sweet?

I am ashamed, deeply ashamed of you, my senior brother priest. Not because you became a governor. But because you opened your mouth and denied the suffering of the very people you vowed before God to serve.

You may silence your voice for politics, but history will never silence your words. Generations will remember the day a Catholic priest stood and told the world that the blood of his people does not count.

History will not forget you padre, not for greatness, but for betrayal. I am praying for you big bro.

Padre, I know you are just trying to secure a second tenure. But for Christ’s sake, speak the truth for once. Consider the lives of your own people. It is better to be remembered as a priest who sacrificed his position to save his people than as a priest who ignored the blood in his land because of his second-tenure ambition.

Rev. Fr Prince Chidi Philip is a Catholic Priest