We’ve no land for cattle colony, Benue leaders tell Buhari

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BY Unknown Tuesday, January 16, 2018 0

We’ve no land for cattle colony, Benue leaders tell Buhari

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom

• Insist on arrest of Miyetti Allah leaders
• President pledges support for victims of killings
• NCP, Afenifere, ADC lament FG’s delayed action

Benue leaders led by Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday declared that their state had no empty land to be designated as a cattle colony as being proposed by the Federal Government.

They made the declaration at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on the recent violent attacks on communities in Benue State by suspected Fulani gunmen.

Ortom, who addressed State House correspondents after the meeting said: "‎I do not understand what colonies mean. Today, I was privileged to meet the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, and he explained to me that a colony is many ranches put in one place, restricted in one place. For us in Benue State, we have no 10,000 hectares to be allowed for that kind of a thing to take place.

"Other states have the land but we in Benue State don't have and that was what led us to enacting this law."

The governor insisted on the arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for the alleged inciting statement which caused the massacre of innocent residents of Guma and Logo local governments of Benue State.

“When people violate the law and they are not sanctioned it becomes a problem. These people should be arrested and investigated because there is enough evidence against them.”

The governor said Benue State was part of President Buhari's constituency, therefore the residents also deserved government’s protection.

"We don't have powers over the security of this country, except the Federal Government. It is expected that the Federal Government will support us to enforce our laws and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ortom, who noted that “even before the anti-grazing law, killings were taking place more than what we are witnessing today” said the state government had found a solution in the new law to protect all.

"We are not sending anyone away from Benue State. The herdsmen, whether you are Igbo, Fulani, Hausa, Idoma or Tiv, you are free. Just follow the law, obtain permit and then do the ranch and you are protected," he said.

The governor denied allegations that the state was arming militia groups, describing the development as a distraction from the main issues.

He said that as far back as 2015 when he took over as governor, he organised an amnesty programme which achieved the disarmament of over 800 youths.

At the meeting, President Buhari appealed to the government and people of Benue to exercise restraint, assuring that all the perpetrators of violence in the state would be made to face the wrath of the law.

He commiserated with the victims of the attacks and promised that the government would ameliorate their suffering. He said relevant agencies had been directed to cater for their needs.

"I appeal to Governor Ortom to restrain his people. I assure you that the police, the Department of State Service and other security agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem get punished.

"I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your country men. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and concerned with the situation,'' the president said.

According to Buhari, the Inspector General of Police has been directed to relocate to the state to provide security for lives and property. He urged all Benue indigenes to trust the security agencies and report all suspicious cases of movements in the state.

Also present at the meeting were Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu; former Senate President, David Mark; former governor, Senator George Akume; and Senator Barnabas Gemade.

Others include Senator Joseph Waku; Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd); Brig. Gen. John Atom Kpera (rtd); former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa; Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbir Kyambe and lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the President Buhari’s meeting with the Benue leaders has been described as belated. Some stakeholders in the country said Buhari had recanted his oath of office to provide security for Nigerians in the time of trouble.

The National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yusuf Tanko, said the venue of the meeting was a sign of disrespect for the souls of the victims of the killings. He said the meeting should have been held at the scene where the victims were killed to show that Buhari valued their lives.

He also flayed the president's prolonged silence on the matter, wondering what would have happened if there was no serious outcry against the government's nonchalant attitude on the matter.

"When the same President was looking for votes in 2015, he traversed the entire country to campaign, assured the people he would provide good leadership, good economy and security but now that the same people are in anguish what stops him from visiting them? Why must he summon the leaders of Benue to Abuja first? Does that mean the people of Benue, whom he promised to protect while he was seeking their votes, are no longer important to him or that it was only their votes he wanted and nothing more?"

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere said the Benue leaders ought not to have honoured Buhari's invitation to Abuja. The spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said Buhari should have at least travelled to Benue to commiserate with the victims.

According to him, the president only succumbed to pressure, not that he is really convinced on the need to meet the people concerned.

The National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the meeting was a serious sign of collapse in governance. "When we said Nigeria is a failed state, many people didn't take us seriously but the signs are now manifesting.

“Now that Nigerians have tasted what Buhari has to offer, the onus is on us to use our votes to decide whether he should continue or not in the next election. I believe if there is going to be a free, fair and credible election, Nigerians would vote him out."

But the President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Shetima Yerima, said it was better late than never for Buhari to have met with the Benue leaders. He, however, condemned the administration's lackadaisical attitude to the crisis when it started.

Benue bloodbath vs Senate’s delayed intervention

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BY Unknown Sunday, January 14, 2018 0

Benue bloodbath vs Senate’s delayed intervention

Section 14, subsection 2(b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, states that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

The ‘government’ referred to in the constitution, includes the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The Federal is a tripartite arrangement and one cannot function without the collaboration of the other. 

My focus on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, vis-a-vis, the National Assembly. I have always argued that the legislature is the most important component of government. In the absence of this vital arm, what you have is dictatorship. 

So, when apportioning blames, always include the National Assembly. After all, it is the bedrock of democracy and the conscience of the Nigerian people. In the National Assembly, every component unit of the country is represented. This is why I consider lawmakers as important stakeholders in nation building. 

Unfortunately, Nigerians think that the National Assembly, specifically the Senate has been leading from behind since the onslaught on farmers by armed Fulani herdsmen started. For Nigerians who have keenly followed what has been described as an ethnic cleansing, the Senate which is the highest law-making body in the country, has not taken a firm position.

On Thursday, about 73 indigenes of Benue State were laid to mother earth at a mass burial ceremony. These folks who were brutally murdered, did not commit any known crime. Their only crime, was that they were from Nigeria; a country which places less premium on the sanctity of the human life. In fact, cows get the protection of soldiers. Non-Fulani folks, you are on your own. 

I am going to respectfully offend some people here. I recall vividly what happened in January, 2012. Members of the 7th House of Representatives were on their Christmas break, when the then Speaker of the lower chamber, Aminu Tambuwal, summoned then to an emergency session.

What was the national emergency? Former President Goodluck Jonathan without any foreknowledge, increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). As true representatives of the people, Tambuwal-led house, took a firm decision. Without fear or favour, the House told Jonathan to maintain status ante until a proper investigation was carried out.

It did not stop there. It went ahead and constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate subsidy payments during the administration of Jonathan. The revelations from that hearing are still fresh. The 7th House was proactive. It acted before things escalated and Nigerians have not forgotten their labour of love.

For Nigerians, it is not so for the 8th National Assembly, specifically the Senate. In late 2017, when one of the worst fuel scarcities in Nigeria’s modern history crippled economic activities in the country, Nigerians had expected that the National Assembly would jettison its break and call for an emergency sitting. Not so.

Instead, the Senate mandated its committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), to conduct an investigation and unravel the immediate cause of the scarcity. Disappointedly, the outcome of the investigative hearing will not be deliberated by the Senate until it resumes on Tuesday. This is like medicine after death.

Nigerians who needed someone to blame, came down heavily on the National Assembly. Who will blame them? While Nigerians were yet to forgive the Federal Government, the National Assembly inclusive, the bloodbath in Benue State shocked Nigerians.

It was a national outcry. Nigerians, like always, needed someone to turn to. For obvious reasons, President Muhammadu Buhari who has kept an annoying silence, did not deploy the Military to restore peace.

Instead, he deployed poorly-equipped police officers to fight heavily-armed herdsmen. Like other Nigerians, I had expected that the Senate was going to convene an emergency session to take a position on the issue. It never happened. 

Instead, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, released a statement on Wednesday, just a day before the mass burial was organised for the victims in Benue State. What was the content of the statement? Read it below.

In response to the recent killings in Benue and Rivers States, President of the Senate,Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has directed members of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Security to immediately resume sitting and work through the weekend to ensure they have an interim report ready for the consideration of members by next week.

Saraki, while responding to the situation in Benue State, especially, re-emphasized his belief that the killings are clear indications that the Security architecture in the country has inherent faults and needs to be refurbished.

“I believe the sad situation in Benue State shows some fundamental faults in our security system. There is clear failure of intelligence gathering, analysis and response time. Our security agencies must be totally overhauled in terms of equipment, specialization, funding, training and staffing.

“This is the reason why in November, the Senate set up a special committee led by Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan to work with security agencies and review the entire system with a view to identifying what is required in terms of laws, process, procedure, funding and other necessities for us to have a solid security system which can be pro-active in identifying potential threats, responding to them on time and preventing any breach.

“We are quite aware of the fact that security is the first and prime responsibility of any government. That is why since early last week I have directed the Lawan committee to take into consideration the sad developments in Benue and Rivers in their deliberations. Now, we cannot wait for the time they planned to conclude their recommendations. They must fast track their schedule . 

“They must sit through the weekend and get an interim report ready for the Senate when we resume plenary on Tuesday. We must immediately support the executive in solving this problem. We cannot afford shedding of blood and we are already moving into the election year with the potential for the aggravation or escalation of these problems. We must decisively resolve the problem of needless blood letting,” Saraki stated.

Nigerians thought they have had enough, when the immediate-past Senate President, David Mark, who coincidentally hails from Benue State, decided to release a press statement to announce the dedication of a church building, on the same day innocent Benue natives were buried. 

Read Mark’s statement below too.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja , Cardinal John Onaiyekan, his Otukpo counterpart Bishop Michael Apochi and scores of clergy men will on Saturday January 13, 2018 dedicate  the ultra modern St. Augustine Catholic Church in Otukpo, Benue State to God for worship.

Built  and donated to the church by former President of the Senate , Senator David Mark , the church has a capacity to accommodate over 3,000  worshippers at a time.

Inspecting the church building ahead of the dedication on Saturday, Senator Mark expressed satisfaction with the work already done.

He said: “I am fulfilled and humbled because God has used me as an instrument for the realization of this church.  I thank  the almighty God  for his faithfulness, mercy, grace and blessing on me and my family . 

“I can never quantify or measure his kindness and blessing. I will serve God and humanity for the rest of my life.”

Coordinator of the project, Johnson Jonathan Ahubi said all the  engineering  and architectural works  have been completed on the project saying that the complex is now ready for use by worshippers. 

Ahubi expressed appreciation to Senator Mark for the gesture and hoped that the church would help propagate the message of salvation and make our society a better place for all. 

You be the judge. In 2019, these same folks will run for offices and win elections and the vicious cycle will continue. If you are not worried, see a doctor, please.

The Senate is a revered chamber. Sometimes, Nigerians get worried when it leads from behind. It needs to be more forthcoming. Whenever there is a national crisis, the Senate must jettison whatever it is doing and convene an emergency sitting. It is okay to release a press statement. But this is not enough. 

We have had two national crises and the Senate has always acted belatedly. At least, that is what Nigerians think. This is also an election season. Senators must be careful not to incur the wrath of Nigerians. Since Nigerians do not have access to ministers, governors and the president, senators are always the easy targets.

I am worried that misinformed Nigerians maybe desperate and do something stupid when senators commence their campaigns before the end of the year. We do not have to get there. I urge them to always be on the side of the people and speak up when it matters. 

I am just a messenger. Do not hate me. Dwell on the message and do the needful. As custodians of our rich, but nascent democracy, the National must be take the lead.

I so submit!

One more thing…

Senator Ita Enang’s frequent gaffes

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang has a reputation. Whenever he speaks with newsmen, he denies whatever is credited to him the following day. It is now a habit and this must stop.

On Tuesday, Enang hosted members of the Senate Press Corps in his private residence. During the interaction, he made some damaging statements. He accused the 7th National Assembly of docility. He did not stop there. He alleged that Dasukigate and Diezanigate happened because the National Assembly failed to perform its functions.

The story was well-reported. As always, Enang released a statement the following day to deny what he said on record. Unfortunately for him, no serious media house reported the refutal.

Just a word of caution for Enang. If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Whatever you cannot defend, do not allege. This undignifying denial is becoming too embarrassing and I urge you to stop sir. If you lack the guts to stand by what you say, stick to press statements. Thank you!

Benue Attacks Youths clash with Hausa community in Makurdi

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BY Unknown Sunday, January 14, 2018 0

Benue Attacks Youths clash with Hausa community in Makurdi

Some angry youths have clashed with members of the Hausa community in Makurdi, Benue state.
According to reports, the clash occurred when a Hausa man was killed after he was hit by a car.

The atmosphere in Benue state has been tense, following the destruction of properties and killings allegedly by Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking on the incident, an eyewitness who spoke to Cable News, said “Earlier today, a Fulani man was hit dead by a car in Wuruku market. Before we know it, hundreds of Hausa people all came out with their weapons and the whole area is now upside down.”

Some youths who spoke to newsmen, said that they had no choice but to defend themselves from the Hausas.

Benue Governor blocking international grazing route
The National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association (MACBAN), Husaini Yusuf Bosso has accused Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state of flouting an international agreement that created a grazing route from Niger to the eastern part of Nigeria.

Bosso also said that there will be more bloodshed in Benue state if the anti-grazing law is not scrapped.

Meanwhile, Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that there is no going back on the anti-grazing law.

Youth Empowerment: Benue Govt Gives Out Start up Kits.

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BY Unknown Monday, December 04, 2017 0

Youth Empowerment: Benue Govt Gives Out Start up Kits.

Youth Empowerment: Benue Govt Gives Out Start up Kits.