By Tersoo Zamber
One of the many MoUs signed by the Benue state government is that of Air Peace flight operations to Makurdi.
The agreement was sealed on June 28 last year, and the state government promised to assist in ensuring commencement of flight without delay.
One year, four months after, not even a test flight by the airline has been carried out.
Perhaps, the “ongoing construction work at the cargo airport” is the reason for the delay.
Last weekend, the CEO of the Airline was in makurdi for a wedding, or to broker peace between Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Governor Ortom.
Instead of explaining what has caused the halt in Air Peace flight operations to Makurdi, he delved into what was strange.
The leadership of Mzough u Tiv, a socio-cultural organisation has identified with the governor on this “reconciliation”.
It has expressed worry over social media criticism of the “reconciliatory move”.
The group should know that, its counterparts like Aniferefere, Ndi Igbo, Arewa and Ijaw Congress would have been in the forefront to resist reconciliation in this form in their areas.
In the South East for instance, where the Peace Broker hails from, the state governors equally have misunderstanding with herdsmen.
How much peace has he initiated in that area?
Does charity not begin at home again?
One of the reasons the Makurdi reconciliation is viewed as the usual political gimmickry of the government.
There are a lot the Mzough u Tiv can pursue.
They include:
- Pardon for Col. Joe Akaahan
- Compensation for invasion of Zaki Biam
- Agitate for more FG presence in the state
- Clamour for the resettlement of IDPs
- Encourage farming
- Revival of cultural festivals etc.
When genuine reconciliation starts, even the blind and deaf will know.
Tersoo Zamber writes from Abuja.
