Nigeria, April 28 -- We are not about to sweep the indiscretions of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State under the carpet. I am particularly unable to overlook the governor's recent hostility to Mr Peter Obi, the most exemplary politician that Nigeria can boast of at this time. I have tried to see whether the governor's petty display could be explained away under any guise. But the more I reflect on it, the more unfathomable I find his action.

This governor, a suspended Catholic priest, relapsed into unprovoked rebellion about a fortnight ago when Obi sought to visit Benue State. As a notable philanthropist, Obi has, over the years, been traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria on a charity mission. He donates handsomely to schools,...