By Bridget Ikyado
March 16,2023
The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, has condoled with victims of armed herder attacks in Kwande Local Government area of Benue,providing humanitarian assistance.
In a statement on Thursday in Kwande by Mr Jeremiah Cheren,Media aide to the Director, National Youth Mobilization Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (North Central),Hon Mike Msuaan led a delegation on the visit.
In his address, Hon. Msuaan expressed gratitude to Sen. George Akume for the kind gesture, citing previous commitments made by the honorable minister to the people of Kwande.
He said the gestures included the construction of a bridge and the employment of over 20 people in Moon council ward during the Jukun-Tiv crisis in 2000 .
He said the gestures were efforts to rebuild the community through human resource and capital development and integration.
He however expressed doubts on Governor Ortom’s commitment to resolving this crisis beyond paying lip service to the aggressors’ atrocities.
He called on the Benue State government to make a solid stance on the appalling security situation in the State instead of running a blame circus in the media.
He reminded the people of Turan that, for about eight years that Ortom has been governor of Benue State, he has not constructed even a borehole in the area.
He lamented that, since this attack occurred, the governor refused to visit the area to ascertain the level of destruction and sympathize with the people.
According to Hon Msuaan, the belated visit by the Guber candidate of the PDP, Titus Uba to the area was a political visit aimed at deceiving the people.
He charged the people to reject him at the polls on Saturday as he only visited to make political capital out of the misfortune of the people of Kwande.
Msuaan also stated that the Zone has always desired a senator who will respond quickly to constituent needs and is grassroots oriented.
He conveyed his belief that Udende had begun on the right foot and urged him to keep the momentum going.
Senator Elect, Emmanuel Udende and the House of Representatives member elect Hon. Terseer Ugbor in their separate addresses all expressed commitment to ensuring that the crisis become a thing of the past when inaugurated.
Also in the deletgation,Chief Dr.Jonathan Terlumun Akputu bemoaned the wanton killings and displacement of innocent indigenes. Intimating the people that efforts are being made to resolve the farmer-herder terror that have decimated Benue villages and hampered Benue State’s agrarian potential and economic advancement.
Earlier, the Honourable ministers representatives had an engagement with the Kwande Traditional Council to sympathize with them over the death, displacement and wanton destruction of property occasioned by the mindless attacks.
Also the Ter Kwande, HRM Chief Ahile and HRH Chief Simon A baver, the
Mue Ter Ichongo (kwande) all expressed gratitude to Sen. George Akume for the soothing words and relief materials sent to victims of the attacks.
The delegation handed over a truck full of relief materials sent by the leader of the APC, in the North Central Zone, Sen George Akume to the displaced
The Ministers delegation was made up of, Hon. Bar. Emmanuel Udende, (Senator Elect) Benue North East Senatorial District, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Kwande/Ushongu (House of Representative Member-Elect,), Hon Mike Msuaan, Chief Dr. Jonathan Terlumun Akputu, Engr. Nick Wende , Elder Terwase Anumve, Hon. Silas Akoso, Hon. Fidelis Unongo and others.
