Kula Tersoo captures the last minute show of strength between the two big-wigs of Benue state politics and how things stand, four weeks to this year’s general elections
As the race to who represents the people of the Benue North-East in the nation’s Red Chambers gathers more steam, two very powerful politicians from Benue, a north-central state, namely, Governor Gabriel Suswam and the incumbent, Sen. Barnabas Gemade are locked in an interesting campaign of strength, influence and antecedents.
Gemade, the founding member and former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Suswam’s erstwhile godfather is the candidate of the main opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), while Suswam, the Incumbent Governor of the Food Basket State is the flag bearer of the PDP.
The two are indeed no pushovers and most popular and wealthy politicians in the state.
The former national chairman and incumbent senator who crossed over to the opposition APC after failing convince the national leadership of the PDP to hand him the party’s ticket unopposed and settle Suswam with another position after the polls have unswervingly maintained that he is the best representative of the area since the practice of democracy in the country. He is equally consistent that the projects he either influenced or sited in the area which have direct bearing on the people would speak for him at the polls.
During his campaign tour of the largest and most powerful senatorial district in the state comprising seven Local Governments of, Ukum, Ushongo, Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Vandeikya, Logo and Konshisha, Gemade was observed to have badmouth his erstwhile godson calling him a disappointment and non-performer. He went ahead to challenge the Governor to always tell each Local Government he visit for his campaigns what he has done for them as Governor and now want to represent them.
“I am not just challenging the Governor. I also want to assure you that anywhere I go for my campaigns; I will commission a project or projects I executed in such places. If he thinks he has touched the lives of the people as Governor, let him also commission projects in these places as he moves round for his campaigns”, Gemade said.
The chieftaincy title holder of Nom Iyange U Tiv indeed demonstrated the spirit of leading by example when he commissioned some projects described by many as very sensitive. Communities like Afia in Ukum saw the commissioning of over twenty computers, its accessories including generator set, chairs and tables. In Ushongo, a classroom block at Boor and motorized borehole were commissioned at Abia while in Kwande, at Shangev, ongoing water project was supervised, with ongoing electricity project also supervised at Achia. Vandeikya, Konshisha and Logo also saw some projects ranging from classroom blocks, boreholes and dual desks commissioned.
However, Governor Suswam has consistently maintained that whether or not Sen. Gemade likes it, he (Gemade) remains his boss hence no need to badmouth ones boss.
But the Secretary, Suswam for Senate Campaign Organization, Hon. Terfa Abuu described Gemade as a rat who out of ignorance challenges a cat to a fight, saying when it comes to commissioning projects, Suswam would be spending two to three days in each Local Government he visits during campaigns.
He stated that though it is not the duty of legislators to execute projects, it was equally their prominent responsibility to lobby and attract serious developmental projects to their constituencies or districts.
“When people said Sen. Gemade has lost touch with Benue environment, I found it difficult to accept but with the outburst and challenge on Governor Suswam now, I am convinced he is indeed not conversant with developmental strides at home”.
“What our people lack seriously and is given rapid attention by Suswam’s government is rural roads, electricity, basic education and security. In Gemade’s village, Suswam’s government has constructed a major road from Ushongo through to the headquarters of his Local Government. The incessant communal clashes between his people and those from Ushongo have been permanently solved and what he need do is to appreciate Suswam for that”, Abur said.
Though he declined all temptations at personally throwing it back at his main challenger, Suswam, while on his campaign tour of the zone equally embarked on commissioning and meticulous supervision of projects of his administration described by many as monumental and giant strides. Indeed, the development as was observed, seriously slowed the Governor’s movement as he occasionally, distort his campaign itinerary and is yet to finish the tour.
So far, link roads, electricity projects, and renovated schools were commissioned by Suswam and his campaign organization in various angles of Vandeikya, Ushongo, Kwande, Konshisha and Katsina-Ala Local Governments.
It was observed that he conscientiously, at each spot explained the efforts he have been putting in as the Chief Executive Officer of the state secure the state boarders even with the incessant invasion by the Fulani herders who have now taken over and occupies Tiv settlements.
“I urge you to reject a party with a Fulani as a flag bearer. You see that they are not in control yet they have occupied your land and are not ready to leave but ready to kill. If they are in control, you know what will happen”, Suswam said.
Perhaps highly impressed with the manner he handled the incessant invasion of their land, a community in Kwande Local Government, Turan with five council wards donated the sum of five hundred thousand naira to the campaign.
Chief Hurordoo Nambativ who made the presentation told the Governor that, “My people asked me to give you this small amount as transport to enable you reach Abuja. We believe that with you in Abuja, we are saved. Do not look back no matter the distraction”.
Many a political analysts believe that the two politicians are counting on two different positions. While Gemade is counting on the bandwagon that may follow especially that Buhari’s presidency has become a movement, Suswam is counting on the love from his Sankera axis with three Local Governments in his kitty especially that he has conveniently delivered them in infrastructure wise and the power of incumbency.
Going by the developments as they emanated during their campaigns, it remains to be seen where the people would cast their votes. Would they be assuaged by Suswam’s litany on the need to abandon a Fulani party and his numerous projects in the constituency or they would be inclined to vote for Gemade based on the swan song of change and “sai Buhari”?