By Nat Apir
In 2015 APC proposed Senator Akume as senate President but he lost out to Senator Saraki in a high wired political Scheme/ shenanigan, and he was eventually appointed Senate Committee Chairman Army a position he still occupies to this day.
At the same time Senator Lawan was also proposed for the Position of Senate Majority Leader but he also Lost out to Senator Ndume for the same reasons that Akume lost out, but he is today Senate Majority leader.
In the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was also tipped for the position of Speaker of the House but he also lost out for the reasons earlier advanced in one above. However owing to some twists and turns Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is the current Majority leader of the House .
Flowing from the above it is clear that of all those that were tapped by the APC for Senate and House Leadership positions it is only Senator Akume that has not found his bearings in the party. What went wrong? It is only Senator Akume who was Senate Minority Leader – leader of opposition in the Senate for 4 years that can explain this!
Having voted overwhelming for the APC in 2015 the only democracy dividends that have accrued to Benue is the incessant killings and ravaging of our communities by Fulani Herdsmen from Agatu to Utonkon to Gwer East & West to Ukum to Logo to Guma to Makurdi and Kwande. Why?
Almost all Tiv sons and daughters that were appointed into positions of leadership in Federal Government Agencies by President Jonathan were fired by Buhari. Why? Only Senator Akume the Leader of APC in the North Central and current Campaign Coordinator of the Buhari campaign Organization in the North Central Region can answer this question.
The APC Federal government has not sited one single project in Benue State since 2015. While I blame our Political leaders for this case of gross marginalization and neglect I also think that Buhari has a morbid hatred for us.
It is a shame and an insult to our sensibilities to therefore have Senator Akume at the forefront of the campaign for Buhari’s reelection when we cannot point at any benefit that has accrued to us for the massive support and votes that were cast for him in 2015.
So, I ask you Senator Akume what is in it – a Buhari second tenure for us? More Killings by his Fulani Kinsmen? More sacking of our remaining sons and daughters from Federal Agencies? More ruthless,deadly and vicious acts of marginalization against us right?
Four local governments out of the Seven in Zone B Senator Akume’s constituency have in the past 8 months or so been under intense and sustained daily or weekly attacks from Fulani Herdsmen with heavy causalities more than half of the 180,000 IDPs are also from these areas, and unfortunately without any Federal government intervention through NEMA this is what should be of concern to Senator Akume and not campaigning for Buhari.
Having survived/escaped the Bullets and Machetes of Fulani mercenaries our people are now faced with starvation, lack of water and sanitation, access to health care and schools. Death by piece meal – economically and physically. This is our dividend of democracy from the APC.
When last week the Minister of Defence came out of a security meeting and told the States of Ekitti,Taraba and Benue to “suspend” their anti open grazing Laws it was Senator Gemade that raised the matter on the floor of the Senate our Senator was no where to be found and to this day he has not said anything or issued any statement condemning the minister’s position meanwhile his senatorial district is the worst hit by Fulani Herdsmen attacks.
Good night from Benue APC! I will be singing your dirge very soon.
I hope the people of Benue State and Zone B in particular will rise up and tell Senator Akume that enough is enough and reject both himself and his paymaster and merchant of death Buhari at the polls come 2019 enough of this servitude.
I urge the good people of Benue State to reject this party and whatever it stands for in the 2019 general elections. We may not survive another term of an impervious and imperial President and APC after 2019.
Nat Apir contributes this piece from Makurdi, the Benue state Capital, North Central Nigeria
