Akume rejects calls for emergency rule in Benue
From Simeon Nwakaudu,
Makurdi
GOVERNOR George Akume has accused critics of his administration of fomenting crises to buttress their calls for a declaration of emergency rule in Benue State.
According to him, there is no basis for such calls since there is no breakdown of law and order in the state "despite all the sinister efforts of the opposition to destabilise it".
Speaking in Makurdi, he said: "Benue State is enjoying 100 per cent peace as the concerted efforts of the government have resulted in the restoration of normalcy in all places where violent conflicts had existed.
"I am not surprised with Senator Joseph Waku's call since he has all his life been an apologist and advocate of military rule".
Akume also alleged that the senator thrived on political opportunism, attacking elected governors of the state.
Waku had in an interview urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Benue over alleged escalating crises in the state.
Meanwhile, Akume has called for the disbandment of armed youths allegedly engaged by leaders of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Kwande axis to restore peace to the area.
He made the observation in reply to a letter written to him by a member of the House of Representatives from Kwande/Ushongo Constituency, Mr. Terfa Atii.
According to the governor, Atii was in the best position to advise his political mentor to evacuate the armed youths from the area and begin the process of demobilising those he allegedly employed to win election.
He said efforts of the state government have resulted in the return of peace and normalcy to Adikpo, headquarters of Kwande Local Council and its environs.
Akume stated, however, that in Turan area, where the lawmaker has reported skirmishes, the fighting was the handiwork of opposition militia.
"This is the militia that abducted and robbed the Managing Director of Taraku Oil Mills, Mr. Jonathan Ichaver, during the 2003 polls", he said.
In Ushongo, Akume maintained that the militia robbed the Acting PDP state chairman, Mr. Aloysius Wuam, of about N400,000.00 and harassed Mr. Gideon Nyitse, Special Assistant to the Governor on Budget.
Akume noted in the letter that Wuam's money was later returned through the intervention of the Ter Ushongo, Ambrose Iortyer.
The governor, whose reply was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, described Atii's response to the Kwande crises as belated and untenable.
"How can you be deliberately playing the ostrich when you know that the genesis of the crises in Kwande predated your being bedridden", the governor asked.
Akume also asked the lawmaker whether he was aware that he also represented members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traditional rulers and others who had been attacked, murdered and their property burnt several times.
He added: "Do they include the relatives of Mr. Orya Korinjo's father of over 90 years and six other PDP members killed by the ANPP militia in Jato-Aka, four PDP members murdered on the eve of the March council polls, the PDP agent and Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) official killed on the election day"
