The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) views as disgraceful remarks made yesterday by Minister or Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume, absolving Fulani herdsmen of guilt in killings of farmers in Benue State, and also for describing those in support of the ban on open grazing as “out of their minds”.
The Minister in recorded video yesterday during a wedding at NKST Central Church Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, categorically condemned the promulgation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, labelling it an agenda to chase Fulani people away from the state. He went on to say that when he was governor, he did not enact anti open grazing law but Benue was very peaceful and Fulani people did not kill anyone. Akume also said as long as the anti open grazing law remains in force, herdsmen will continue to kill Benue people.
The party wonders when Akume discovered that the Anti Open Grazing Law is not a good policy. Was he not part of the process that produced the law? Was he not part of the stakeholders meeting where Governor Samuel Ortom signed the law? Did he not commend the Governor on that occasion for taking a bold step that could end the attacks on Benue people? If he knew that the law won’t work, why did he not say so then? Or is it when he became Minister that he suddenly realized the law is bad?
Benue PDP observes that as can be heard in the video recording, Akume asked Benue people to make boki (friend) with Fulani. He said Fulani are the best boki for Benue people. He went on to list the things that a Fulani President Muhammadu Buhari has done for Benue people such as making him Minister, giving appointments as university chancellors to Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma among other things like federal board appointments to some APC members in Benue.
It is of grave concern to the party that from the video recording it is evident that Akume has vowed to constitute himself into an enemy, not only to the administration of His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, but also to the people of Benue State. How could a man who was a two time governor of the state, three time Senator and now Minister speak with such carelessness? So Akume has the nerves to look us in the face and say that Fulani will not stop killing our people until we allow them to have free access to our God-given lands? He wants us to repeal the law banning open grazing just so that cows of his aboki can destroy more of our farms?
Our great party considers it necessary to remind Senator Akume that Muhammadu Buhari is not the first Fulani to be President of Nigeria. We had President Shehu Shagari who gave Benue four ministerial slots during his tenure. There was Paul Onongo for power and steel, Isaac Shaahu for communications, Elizabeth Ivase for education and Audu Ogbe for steel development. So why does Akume want us to think that Buhari has done us the biggest favour by making him a Minister without a portfolio?
It is also pertinent for Benue PDP to remind Akume that during the Umaru Yar’Adua Presidency, Benue State produced the most powerful Minister in the person of Mike Kaase Aondoakaa who was attorney general and minister of justice. During the same Yar’Adua era, Benue produced NAFDAC DG, Paul Orhii, EFCC chairman Mzamber Waziri, Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Robert Orya, Auditor General of the federation Samuel Ukura among many appointments.
The above appointments were really big and not these lightweight appointments of board members by Buhari which Akume wants us to celebrate.
Our great party further puts it to Senator Akume that the appointment of paramount rulers as chancellors of universities is the normal practice and it did not start with Buhari. So let no one tell us to roll out drums and celebrate the appointments of Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, least of all use that as a basis for advancing the invidious fulanisation agenda in Benue State.
If Akume wants to compare the government of Buhari with others, that is not a problem. But let him also tell us if Shagari and Yar’Adua asked their attorneys general to establish cattle routes and grazing reserves across the country. He should tell us if the two former presidents introduced cattle colonies, Ruga or national water resources bill.
Benue PDP regrets that the Buhari Minister and pro-fulani advocate’s utterances have continued to fuel the suspicion that he is the one encouraging Fulani herders to disobey the Anti Open Grazing Law and continue with destruction of farmlands and other property of Benue people.
The party frowns on the Minister’s highly unpatriotic stance and admonishes him to know that he is not the first man to be made Minister from Benue state. Many have gone there and come back to meet us here. His tenure won’t last forever. He will one day return and meet the thousands of displaced people in the IDP camps. He has said openly that the people attacked themselves and ran to the camps. He has said many times that Fulani herders do not attack Benue people.
Those in IDPs also voted for Akume two times as governor and three times as senator, yet he has now turned round to reward their love with hatred and their votes with blatant accusations.
This is indeed most disgraceful and unfortunate.
Bemgba Iortyom,
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Benue State.
