- Visits SGF Akume in Abuja
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Peace may have returned to Benue State courtesy of deft political moves by Governor Hyacinth Alia to court stakeholders’ collaboration on the best way forward.
Insider sources hinted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent emergency visit to the middle belt State may have set the tone in assuaging the hitherto glaring political tension among leaders and stakeholders across the State.
In Benue to condole with the people and the government, President Tinubu had used the occasion to receive security briefing and first hand information on the incessant killings and general insecurity in the North Central region.
Pointedly, he tasked Governor Alia on peace building during a Town Hall meeting, urging him to bring together major political actors, especially former Governors and other elder statesmen for discussions and a possible meeting with him at the villa.
It was gathered that acting on the Presidential counsel, Governor Alia wasted no time in making the right moves as interesting pictures emerged few days after showing him all smiling in a meeting with Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
According to competent sources, the trending pictures of the meeting were taken at Akume’s Maitama residence, with the Governor writing on his official Facebook handle, “Today, I paid a surprise visit to Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
“It was a warm and insightful interaction marked by mutual respect, unity, and deep reflection on both state and national issues, as well as a shared commitment to the progress of our dear state and nation”.
With prior warning too, pictures of the State’s Chief Judge, Mr. Maurice Ikpambese visiting Governor Alia at Government House Makurdi also emerged on social media.
Surprisingly, one of the said pictures had Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh appearing on the scene which left some unanswered questions in the minds of many political commentators.
This is the backdrop that only recently, the State Assembly voted and directed Governor Hyacinth Alia to suspend the State’s CJ, a development that saw stakeholders taking differing position for or against the decision.
But giving credibility to speculations of glad tidings in the offing, Spokesman to Governor Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula who also published the pictures on his official Facebook and X handles wrote, “In democracy, the fulfilment of the promises of peace, security, unity and progress is what makes it an effective vehicle for nation-building.
“The leaders of the State have come to understand that the peace, unity and progress of the State is the ultimate goal at this time for the people to be served honestly in a dedicated manner.”
“Benue shall be great again”, Tersoo said assuredly.
