By Aindigh Jerome

Fr. Michael Melladu, Chairman of the Christians' Pilgrims Welfare Board in Makurdi, has warned Governor Hyacinth Alia to be on guard against individuals he described as "Herods" — a biblical reference to those who destroy others out of fear and envy. Speaking at an interdenominational thanksgiving service marking the combined anniversary of Benue State at 50, the governor at 60, and three years of his administration, the cleric warned that such figures may be working to discredit the governor's best-performing appointees.

At a celebration marking three significant milestones, Benue State's golden jubilee, Governor Hyacinth Alia's 60th birthday, and the third anniversary of his administration a senior Catholic cleric delivered what observers described as a pointed political homily wrapped in scripture.

Fr. Michael Melladu, Chairman of the Christians' Pilgrims Welfare Board, Makurdi, urged Governor Alia himself a Catholic priest to guard against what he called "Herods" within and around his political circle.

Drawing from the New Testament, Fr. Melladu invoked the figure of Herod the Great, the biblical king who ordered the massacre of infant boys out of fear that the newborn Jesus would one day overthrow his reign as "King of the Jews." In his homily, the cleric used the metaphor to describe a class of people who, out of envy or self-interest, seek to undermine those making genuine progress.

"Some of the governor's performing appointees may be harshly criticised by the 'Herods' so that they are perceived as a threat to the achievement of his vision for the state," Fr. Melladu was quoted as saying.

The cleric urged the governor to create an enabling environment for his appointees, so that their contributions to Benue State would be visible and beneficial to all residents.

The triple-anniversary interdenominational service brought together Christians from various denominations in Benue to mark what was framed as both a civic and spiritual occasion.

Governor Alia, who was ordained a Catholic priest before entering politics, has governed Benue State since 2023 amid challenges including insecurity, flooding, and fiscal management concerns.

No response had been received from the Governor's office or his aides at the time of filing this report.