By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A group known as Benue Rebirth Movement, BRM Youth wing has decried the marginalization of Idoma people in appointment so far made by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
A chieftain of the group Atsar Baba Gundu made the lamentation on Monday 9th July, 2023 at a press conference in Makurdi.
Atsar averred that the victory of Rev. Fr. Alia brought succour to the suffering masses, particularly to the minorities of zone C and other minorities within Zone A and B, adding that their expectation was that justice and equity that had eluded Benue state for over 47 years was on its way to be entrenched.
He maintaained that the realignment of Benue state to the national political grid brought more good tidings with the appointment of our Political Leader, Senator George Akume, as the Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, stating this great opportunity given to Benue state is an opportunity for the state to become the platform to unite all northern minorities (Middle belt), Southern minorities and everybody in a strong support for the pragmatic leadership which the President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is proffering.
The Youth leader vivdily recalled that the maiden courtesy call by the BRM National Coordinator, Air Vice-Marshal Monday Morgan (rtd), on the Governor before his swearing in, the movement had passionately demanded for the return of the post of SSG to Zone C to show sign of good faith that a new era has come.
“Unfortunately, the appointments being made by the Governor, following the old pattern of denying Zone C the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) occupied by Prof. Joseph Alkali has raised the red flag that our joy is likely to be short-lived.
‘To our surprise, when the appointments were made, Zone C that has never been given an opportunity to rule Benue as Governor since its creation, still lost the post of SSG. Governor, Tiv; House of Assembly Speaker, Tiv; Chief Judge, Tiv; and SSG Tiv. What then is the future of the Idomas and other minorities in Benue?
“The race for ministerial slot has started and speculations in the political space have it that another Tiv son is being recommended to the President and Commander-in-Chief. We the youths are highly agitated by this move. We can not stand and watch while our political elders are preparing grounds for dangerous ethnic rivalries for us and our children as these actions have generated ethnic tensions for too long and must be corrected.
“We demand that the next Minister from Benue state should be from Zone C irrespective of religion, age or gender.
“The Governor should liaise with the APC Leader in the state, Sen. George Akume, to identify a loyal party man or a technocrat from zone C for appointment as minister.
“All the Governors in the North Central geopolitical zone should submit in total loyalty to the SGF, Senator Akume, so that the entire middle belt region can be galvanized in total loyalty to the President and C-in-C”, Atsar stated.
