…asks Senate President to retract comments against Gov Alia
Some indigenes of Benue State, under the aegis of Zone A Voters League (ZAVL) have accused the Senator representing Benue North East senatorial district, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, of playing politics with the recent killings by militia gangs in some parts of the state.
The group’s position is contained in a communique issued at its expanded stakeholders meeting and signed by local government coordinators from Kwande LGA Pastor Saater Akaa, Katsina Ala LGA Coordinator Comrade Jacob Avaan, Ushongo LGA Coordinator Bar. Peter Gwa Gagir, Vandeikya LGA Coordinator Dr. George Akaangee, Ukum LGA Coordinator
Comrade Maurice Biam, and Konshisha LGA Coordinator Engr. Adaa Ibuan respectively.
The communique which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, also called on anti graft agencies to investigate the ₦200,000,000 given Senator Udende as paliatived to be distributed to their constituents, even as they accused the Senator of diverting the funds to fund operations of the militia gang.
While condemning the alleged use of the Red Chambers by Senator Udende to blackmail the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, the indigenes further alleged that “certain mischief makers and highly placed politicians who are supposed to be part of the solution have decided rather, to exploit this unfortunate situation to their political advantage.”
They said: “The recent security situation in Benue State especially in areas such as Agatu and parts of Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Kwande Local Government Areas which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent human lives has devastated not just those who are directly affected but the state at large. Despite coordinated efforts on the part the Government of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia, it seems certain mischief makers and highly placed politicians who are supposed to be part of the solution have decided rather, to exploit this unfortunate situation to their political advantage.
“Consequently, the Zone A Voters League (ZAVL), a socio-political group of young professionals and elites from the Zone A Senatorial District in Benue State, having observed the show of shame exhibited by Senator Emmanuel Udende at the hallowed Chambers of the Nigerian Senate in a bid to spite our amiable Governor and bring to disrepute his tireless efforts in combatting the lingering insecurity ravaging the state, convened a One-Day Expanded Stakeholders meeting and resolved as follows;
“That, the dishonourable and indistinguishable Senator Udende who won his elections to the Senate through the popular support of Zone A voters has turned his back on the plight of the electorates by clandestinely sponsoring local militia gangs and misleading the Senate on the true cause of crisis the crisis in Sankara, especially in the Ukum Local Government Area.
“That even a child in Benue State knows that the recent killings that took place in Gbagir, a village in Ukum LGA for which Senator Udende is viciously exploiting to discredit Governor Alia is nothing but a clash between two rival militias and NOT herdsmen. The disgruntled Senator knows these militias and their leaders and cannot appear before the floor of the Senate feigning ignorance of the true state of things except to cover up for his gangs who ostensibly work for him behind the scene. In fact Senator Emmanuel Udende should rather tell the Senate his role in the unfolding crisis.
“We commend Governor Hyacinth Alia for his steps in maintaining stability in the state by reinforcing security measures such as the full implementation of the State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 to stop the criminal activities of the armed herders in the state. The State Security Council meeting headed by the Governor resolved previously to give a fourteen-day-ultimatum believed to be a non-kinetic approach to enable the criminals to pull out of the state.
“The ultimatum expired on March 6th, 2024 and the state government has authorized security agents to ensure full compliance to the law while the violators who carry with them violent weapons are treated as dangerous criminals. This is a known fact with a potential to holistically address the issue of the influx of herdsmen in Benue State and we stand in solidarity with our Governor.
“That Senator Udende has taken the undignified approach of using the Red Chambers to blackmail the Governor whose popularity he enjoyed immensely in the build up the last elections that took him to the Senate. Instead of exposing the militia gangs operating in his Council Ward, he has taken the unholy stance of probably using the situation to settle some political scores with the Governor who has been termed uncooperative, because of his refusal to share state resources with supposed stakeholders . The strategy to accuse herdsman is diversionary tactic, unbecoming of a Senator who should not be heating the polity and fanning the embers of hatred and division. Seeking to profit from the tragedy of others is inhuman and a Senator should of all people should do better.
“Having been inaugurated, a Consultative Committee, comprising of members from the Seven (7 ) Local Government Areas that make up Zone A Senatorial District has been mandated to begin consultations on the recall process of Senator Emmanuel Udende for his complicity in the security situation in the Sankera area. The Committee should in like manner, petition the National Security Adviser (NSA) to profile the Senator and ascertain his level of involvement including but not limited to financial sponsorship and acquisition of arms. It is counterproductive to have a militia leader as Senator when there are very eminently qualified persons with integrity and the pedigree to represent the people of Zone A.
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“That Senator Emmanuel Udende be made to account for the over for the ₦200,000,000 palliative given to senators for onward distribution to their constituents. Wheras many Senators dutifully disbursed palliatives in their various constituents, it is not clear if Senator Emmanuel Udende used the money allocated for the good people of Zone A to procure arms and other logistics support to his militia gang with instructions to kill and malign the efforts of the incumbent Governor of the State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must swing into action and do the needful.
“That, even as consultations intensify, the good people of Zone A should be put on notice that on the 15th of March 2024, the inauguration of the Senator Emmanuel Udende recall committee will be conducted at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina Ala by 10am prompt. In this regard, the Consultative Committee is mandated to liaise with Local Government Coordinators from the Seven (7) Local Government Areas to fast track mobilisation for the recall process.”
The indigenes who disapproved of the Senate President’s comments which they alleged was an indication he had taken sides over the worsening insecurity, in the state, called for his apology and retraction of statements made against Governor Alia.
“We condemn in strong terms the rather uncharitable remarks of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio who, as a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State ought to have understood the complexities of fighting insecurity. We insist that such utterances be retracted and an apology issued to the Governor and people of Benue State.
“Taking sides and playing to the gallery over a sensitive issue such as the loss of lives is unbecoming of a leader of Akpabio’s standing. Insinuating that Governor Hyacinth Alia has not taken the security of lives in the state as a ‘first line of thought’ and issuing infantile advice on the use of security votes is malicious.”
