Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode, has described as “irresponsible, unpatriotic and dishonest” the recent comments attributed to the Senator Patrick Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial district in which he was quoted as haven said; “if you are an Idoma and you have Idoma blood in you, don’t vote Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia. He is not a good person”.
Dr Ode noted that such comments were unbecoming of a person of Senator Morro’s standing in the society, adding that occupying an elective office does not give anyone the liberty to sow seeds of discord among constituents or promote divisive rhetoric along ethnic lines.
Ode, who stated these while responding to questions from journalists on Moro’s ‘hate speech’, challenged the senator to present his scorecard to the people of Zone C, stressing that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed Benue State for the greater part of the period between 2015 and 2023.
The Deputy Governor also challenged Morroto point at any meaningful development the PDP delivered to Idoma land during those years.
Dr Ode however, highlighted some of the key achievements of the Governor Alia-led administration in Benue South to include the ongoing construction of the 52-kilometre Awaji–Oju Road at the cost of ₦25.7 billion, the road which connects Gwer East and Oju Local Government Areas”.
He also mentioned the 31.5-kilometre Igumale–Apa–Agila Road that was awarded at a cost of ₦19.3 billion, as well as the 43-kilometre Obagaji–Okokolo–Agagbe Road at the cost of ₦29.8 billion, which links Agatu and Gwer West Local Government Areas.
The deputy governor said that when completed, the road projects valued at over 75 billion Naira will significantly enhance connectivity within the entire Benue South Senatorial District and adjoining areas.
According to Ode; “The administration has revitalised the Otobi Water Works including reticulation of phase one of Otukpo Township water network in the sum of 1.5 Billion Naira. Rehabilitation of 33 primary healthcare centres in the senatorial district, revitalised primary school infrastructures, and recruited 9,700 teachers to address staffing gaps in public primary schools across the state”.
The deputy governor also noted the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, describing it as a clear departure from the experiences of 2015 to 2023.
