News
Land dispute: Benue government suspends traditional rulers, set up panel
Benue State Security Council on Monday suspended three traditional rulers in connection with violent disputes over land in Ushongo and Gwer East Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who announced the decision while briefing journalists after an expanded meeting of the Council, said two district heads from Gwer East, Chief Peter Ikyum of Ishough and Chief Ager Kuhe of Mbasombo, as well as a kindred head from Ushongo were affected by the suspension.
The Governor stated that a high powered panel headed by Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iyortyer and supported by Tor Sankera, Chief Abu King Shuluwa as well as second class chiefs from Ushongo, Buruku, Mbakor and the Secretary, Tiv Traditional Council would look into the remote and immediate causes of the clashes between Mbasombo and Ishough districts.
He said: “Council also asked the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse to set up a committee to probe the veracity or otherwise of the allegations leveled against the suspended traditional rulers and recommend appropriate sanctions.’
The Governor stated: “that an elder, Abagena Ityav had been identified to be behind criminal activities in Gwer East and security agencies were directed to interrogate and prosecute him, if found culpable.”
On the lingering crisis at Ityo-Mu, Makurdi Local Government, Govenor Ortom said Council had restructured the earlier committee headed by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, to include other members and remove those suspected to have vested interests, in order to find lasting solution to the crisis.
Those included on the committee according to the Governor are Tor Kwande, TorJechira, Tor Gwer, Tor Lobi and Ter Makurdi. Others are Security Adviser to the Governor, Commissioners for Land and Justice as well as Permanent Secretary Bureau of Internal Affairs who doubles as Secretary of the Committee.
Governor Ortom stated that Security Council discovered criminal elements behind the crisis between Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas and urged security agencies to go after the perpetrators, even as he noted that Council commended the peaceful disposition of people of the two local government areas.
He acknowledged the support of security agencies in the enforcement and implementation of the ranching law of the state and the fight against crime.
The Governor called on Benue people to be their brothers’ keepers and employ dialogue in resolving disputes, stressing that at this moment when COVID-19 is ravaging the globe and threatening the economy, the need to look inward by exploring agriculture to produce food for consumption and commercial purposes was imperative for all.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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