Benue Lawmakers Want PBAT To Intervene In APC Crisis

By Oduyemi Odumade

Benue State lawmakers in the National Assembly wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the current crisis in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The appeal is to seek the President’s assistance in resolving the crisis and reinstating stability within the party in Benue State.

The caucus, led by Senator Titus Zam made the call during a Media briefing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The lawmakers who attended the briefing were, the Senator representing Benue North-east Emmanuel Udende,
Members of the House of Representatives Makurdi/Guma Mr. Dickson Tarkighir;, Ado/Ogbadibo, Okpoku, Mr. Philip Agbese; Kwande/Ushongo, Mr. Terseer Ugbor; Gwer-East/Gwer-West, Mr. Austin Achado;
Buruku Mr. Sekav Iyortyom and Konshisha/ Vandeikya, Mr. Sesoo Ikpagher.

Mr. Zam who accused the governor of marginalising the members of the ruling party in the state said the governor has been dictatorial in running the affairs of the state.

” Having watched with apprehension the absence of democratic leadership in Benue State in the last six (6) months exemplified by the arrogant and egocentric conduct of Governor Hyacinth Alia, we have decided to draw the attention of Mr President and other leaders of APC in Nigeria to seek their immediate intervention before the fortunes of APC in Benue State are totally destroyed.
” It is necessary to state from the onset that, we have collectively and individually drawn the attention of the leader of the APC in Benue, Sen George Akume Secretary to the Government of the Federation who has on several occasions pleaded for patience from us in anticipation of a possible change of attitude from His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia, but rather than change for the better, Governor Alia has become more emboldened and has continued to treat us and the party in general in the most disgusting disrespectful and disingenuous manner,” Senator Zam said.

The group said that several attempts had been made to talk to the governor but to no avail as he has not been picking the calls of members of the national assembly since his emergence as governor.

Another infraction listed against the Governor is the appointment of Commissioners and unilaterally nominating caretaker Commitees for the local governments in the state without consulting members of the party.

They also accused the governor of high handedness in handling the affairs of the state.

Senator Zam also said that Governor Alia has no single known developmental blue print for Benue State.

“Implications of his undemocratic rule in Benue State; the grave consequences of Governor Alia’s personal rule is that, the generality of APC members who are excluded and abandoned are beginning to lose faith in the APC led administration in Benue State. Therefore, care must be taken to safeguard APC from the tyrannical leadership of Governor Alia so as to prepare the party for subsequent electoral victories in the future.

They pledged their loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Party Chairman, Umar Ganduje, Sen. Dr. George Akume the SGF, the State Chairman of APC, Comrade Austine Agada and his Exco.

The Deputy Chairman of the House committee on Media,
Philip Agbese, in his submission, said that the governor has refused to listen to the voice of reasoning.

Edited By Grace Namiji