In this interview, Special Assistant to the President on Administration, Mr J. Peter Ohemu, speaks on the politics of his home state, Benue, and advises the majority Tiv tribe not to play God in the bid of the minority Idoma to govern the state in 2015. He also speaks on the feats recorded by the Jonathan Administration. AMEH EJEKWONYILO reports
President Jonathan’s administration
I will say without hesitation or fear of contradiction that His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR has done great work for Nigerians and Nigeria. He has done very well in the area of infrastructure –roads, water, electricity, power as well as revitilisation of rail line transport among others. . Of particular mention here, especially given its importance of linkage of the Northern with the Southern parts of the country, is the Abuja-Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu, and Abuja-Lokoja roads which were neglected for over a decade now. Regular users of these roads will attest to this fact.
On the new constituency created in your area
The restoration of the long suppressed Otukpa Constituency by the Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State on the 13th of February 2014 upholding an earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Makurdi is a welcome positive development and a Valentine gift to the people of Otukpa District. Otukpa was a State Constituency in Benue State until the Third Republic when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew that status and merged us with Orokam and Owukpa to form the Ogbadibo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly. This has suppressed and denied Otukpa District of representation in the State Assembly since then.I congratulate all Otukpalites on this milestone! I also would like to use this unique opportunity to commend members of Otukpa Alede Club, Makurdi, and those who assisted them financially or otherwise towards obtaining this landmark judgement.
It is noteworthy to observe here that some constituencies who suffered similar fate have had theirs restored, elections conducted and are being represented in their various state House of Assemblies, as we speak. I, therefore appeal to INEC not to further disenfranchise Otukpa District’s representation in the Benue State House of Assembly and quickly conduct election in the restored Otukpa Constituency.
Chances of Idoma emerging governor in Benue Some Tivs in a show of political arrogance and display of hatred for the Idomas have arrogated to themselves sole rulership status of the state and disdainfully said, we cannot be governor of the state. Such statement is most unfortunate. I agree that Idomas are in the minority in the state but that should not be used to disparage us as if we are incapable to govern Benue state. Indeed, Idomas have always proven themselves in all their assigned responsibilities. Who thought before now that a Fulani Christian in Adamawa or a Southern Kaduna Christian will be governor of Adamawa and Kaduna states respectively?
Having said that, I say a resounding yes , Idoma person will govern Benue State! I draw my inspiration and conviction from the Bible in Daniel chapter 2 verse 21 which says “God changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Nobody should play God. I believe in equal citizenship and equity.
On argument that Idomas should make do with federal positions
Personally, I am very proud of our Idoma elders, leaders, contemporaries and the youth. They have distinguished themselves in the discharge of their assigned roles creditably. Name them; the Gen. Chris Garubas, the Abutu Obekpas, the Audu Ogbes, the Abu Obes, the Emmanuel Ogbiles, the David Marks, to mention just a few. Indeed, the Nigeria Senate has never had it so good until our own leader, Distinguished Senator David Mark, GCON, became President of the Senate and Chairman of the entire National Assembly. He has broken the banana peel jinx and created unprecedented record of having successfully presided over the affairs of the Senate for almost two terms (eight years) and still counting.
If the invectives of some Tivs that the Idomas should be satisfied with federal appointment only, and forget about governing the state or hold other important state appointments like Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of the State, etc, it is morally incumbent on them, the Tivs, to direct their sons and daughters currently holding federal appointments to resign their appointments immediately and handover to us- the Idomas.
However, I want to remind this group of Tivs what they said in the past, that Idoma votes were not necessary for them to elect a governor of the state. They ate their words in the 2011 Benue state gubernatorial election. Without the Idoma’s votes, PDP would have lost that election. The record is there for all to see and learn a lesson from.
So, without prejudice, I say to our Tiv brothers and sisters who think and speak disparagingly about us, that we are partners in the governance of Benue State. The Tivs should learn to be tolerant of the minority and not hurt the sensitivity of the Idomas.
Reasons for the state’s backwardness
Benue State was created on February 13, 1976 from the former Benue-Plateau State and Igala, which had been part of Kwara State.To be able to answer your question whether the State is backward in its development, many things must be taken into consideration, especially its endowments, revenue and population at the particular era of an administration, compare with development in similar states in Nigeria taken into account similar factors.
Benue State is acclaimed to be the “Food Basket of the Nation” because it is rich in many agricultural crops such as Yams, Cassava, Potatoes, rice, Sorghum, Soya Beans, Millets, Guinea Corn, Maize, Beniseed, as well as palm oil . Whereas Benue State with an estimated population of over four million based on the 2006 population census, 23 Local government councils and got N20.2 billion from the Federation in May 2013, Niger State which got N22.1 billion, has 25 Local government councils and an estimated population of about four million in the same month. Kogi state with an estimated population of over three million, 21 local government councils got N18.8 billion in May 2013.
The era of late Aper Aku which was regarded as the ‘golden era’ of Benue State, saw to the establishment of many structures doting the landscape of the state today and they include, among others, the establishment of six general hospitals, building of the State Secretariat Complex; Benue Bottling Company Plc; Benue Breweries Ltd; Taraku Mills Ltd; Benue Burnt Bricks Ltd; Lobi Bank, and Lobi Quarters; colleges of education and several government secondary schools; and also initiated the establishment of the Benue State University and Sheraton Hotel.
There is a near absence of Federal institution in the State today, safe for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Federal Government College, Vandeikya, Federal Technical School, Otukpo.
From 1999 to date when the country returned to democratic governance, the state has had two development blueprints –the Benue Advance Plan of Governor George Akume 1999 – 2007, and Our Benue, Our Future of Governor Gabriel Suswam 2007 to date. The Governor George Akume administration constructed many projects
like the Benue Plaza, Central Business District in Abuja; College of Health Sciences; BSU Medical School; Judges Quarters in Gboko Road, Makurdi; Owner-Occupier Housing Estate at the GRA and Nyiman Layout; Township Roads in the three major towns of the State, i.e, Gboko, Makurdi
