Benue: Gov. Alia running one man show, not governance – Senate minority leader, Moro insist

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Senate Minority leader and Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Sen. Abba Moro, on Monday, described Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia All Progressives Congress APC- led Government in Benue as a “one-man-show”.

He also advocated for unity in the party, noting that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC was busy making mistakes which the PDP should leverage on to bounce back to power.

Senator Moro stated this during the Expanded Caucus Meeting of the main opposition party, PDP, held at the party’s Secretariat in Makurdi.

He maintained that what people are witnessing today in Benue is not governance but one man show and urged PDP members to remain united and shun divisive tendency.

“Let us avoid dichotomy in the party. We must make sure we return this State to PDP. We should know that we are in opposition and therefore, we must be united. We should not allow personal interest to overwhelmed us and so, there is need for us emphasized the issues that divides us.

“We will work hard for our party to return to power because PDP is in Benue and our government is in Benue. So we must do everything within the party to bring power back to the State, “Sen. Moro said.

On his part, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom canvassed for inclusivity ahead of the Party’s ward and State congresses.

Chief Ortom noted that PDP members have seen the pain of losing and should not do anything that could cause the party to lose again.

He advised the leadership of the party to put in place a conflict reconciliation mechanism to resolve all issues, saying must remain united and work together to achieve success in the State.

“We should not undermine anyone. I strongly believe that the rejected stone will become the Chief cornerstone soon”, Orton said.

Speaking also, former governor of the State and the National Chairmanship aspirant of PDP, Sen. Gabriel Suswam warned members of the party desist from using the name of leaders of the party to formulate trouble for their selfish interest.

He explained despite his ambition to become the next national chairman of PDP, he is not desperate to win.

“Though, there are several interests in the contest, it won’t be a do or die affair for me. if it works in my favor, I will get it, but if it doesn’t, I will forget about it. We are building a party that is on its knees, we want it to stand on its toes”.

“I want to congratulates the state chairman of the party for putting members together. For the unity of the party, we have internal arrangements on how positions are should shared.

“There is no dichotomy in the party, those brewing ember of trouble are doing so for their selfish interest.

At the level of leaders , we have met and have resolved all issues confronting the party”, Suswam stated.

Earlier in his remark, State chairman of PDP, Sir John Ngbede said the party will embark on aggressive sensitization of its member towards the forthcoming local government election in the State as well as ward/State congresses

He equally revealed the party’s plans to embark on registration of new members in line with the constitution of the party.

He announced that the Congresses will commence on the 29th of June 2024 ,adding the sale of nomination forms will commence soon.

“Those seeking elective positions should be ready. Forms for chairmanship position of the party is 1m naira and State Deputy Chairman, State secretary 750,000 naira while all other positions is pegged at 500,000.

‘It is not going to be business as usual as there will be no compilation of names in individual homes. This will not be accepted and there will be no interference from leaders of the party.

“For the LG election: forms for chairmanship aspirants is to cost 150,000 naira and councilorship 75,000 naira. I urge that you should look for the best in your locality. Do not impose anybody on the people. This should be done in consultation with all stakeholders in the area”, Ngbede said.

While decrying the emergence of a certain PDP Concerned group in the party that is causing confusion, Ngbede cautioned them to desist from such act.

He warned that the party will henceforth, not hesitate to sanction any erring members who are bent on causing confusion and divisions.

The national exofficio of the party Mrs. Margaret Icheen, advised the State leadership of the party to be weary of those who wants to participate in the party’s congresses, fix their loyalists at wards Excos but will later move them to another party.