You Are Still Our Members, Benue PDP to Ortom and Nick Eworo

Dr. Samuel Ortom

The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), has declared that the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom and Hon. Nick Eworo who was the centre of the recent brawl at the Benue State House of Assembly remain members of the party.

This was made known by the State Chairman of the party, Chief Emmanuel Agbo,  during a press briefing in Makurdi today.

According to Agbo the Benue State governor who was voted on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ),  remains a bona fide member of the party because he had not satisfied all conditions necessary for a member of his calibre to leave the party.

Speaking further the party chairman declared that the PPDP remains the majority party in the house as according to him,  Nick Eworo was not expelled from the party as he claims. He said the ward executive which were claimed to have expelled Nick lacks the the powers to expell a members of Nick's standing.

He however advised that if Nick Eworo wanted to, leave the party he was free to but will be required to follow laid down guidelines which involve relinquishing the party’s mandate to face a fresh election, perchance he still desired to remain in the Assembly. 

Meanwhile, the party has also chided the APC describing the recent election of Hon. Gabriel Adanyi as a show of desperation.  Chief Agbo said the manner in which the APC is eager to take over the Assembly leadership is proof of the fact that they only stole the mandate they now claim to have.
Culled from atiterkula.wordpress.com

Is Borrowing From The Bank To Pay Benue Workers The Solution?

On Thursday the Benue house of assembly gave governor Ortom the go ahead to borrow N10billion from the bank to offset workers' salary arrears. This didn't come as a surprise. In a meeting with activists, students and opinion leaders when Mr Ortom came into office,he said the debt he inherited from his predecessor is N90billion-N50billion for ongoing contracts, N18billion for certified ones, N10billion for bonds

and bank loans and N12billion for salaries and arrears. He went ahead to say that for him to at least pay one month salary across board and “ensure the take-off of the executive and legislative arms” he needs to borrow and that he has received offers from some banks. when it was all over the news that the Benue state house of assembly has approved the request of the executive to borrow, many people especially on social media wondered aloud if borrowing to offset debt is the way to go.

Borrowing from the bank to pay Benue workers is a very popular decision. Benue workers want to get paid. They deserve to be paid. They have incurred so much debt as a result of non-payment of salaries for close to six(6) months. I heard schools don't even send children home for not paying school fees because they understand it won't make any difference. Doing anything humanly possible to pay at least a month's salary will receive the support of almost everybody, but not everything that is popular is the right thing.

I don't understand the wisdom behind incurring debt to discharge debt. If the people's governor inherited N90billion debt and is still going ahead to borrow N10billion to offset some of it and get government going,is he not increasing the debt? Come to think of it,which generation will finally carry the burden of paying back? The usual question is where will Governor Ortom get the money to pay workers if he doesn't borrow and some have supported the idea by lecturing whoever cares to listen about “refinancing”.

I understand that borrowing is not a bad idea but borrowing to pay salaries is a bad idea. Government all over the world borrow money for different reasons but under normal circumstances it is more wise for government to borrow money to increase production capacity and economic growth. I know the circumstances in Benue are not normal, they are more abnormal given that even in our days of plenty we were borrowing and we are still borrowing in these difficult times. Let's think about this,if borrowing from banks to pay salaries was the solution, why are other governors not doing so to pay salaries?

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun who is owing workers for up to eight(8) months said he began finding it difficult to pay salaries in 2013 when the Federal allocation of Osun state reduced by 40%. He also noted that in his effort to pay workers and carry out his responsibilities, he has exhausted the state's reserve and also incurred debt of N12billion. He also said he will not mind collecting bank loans to pay workers but banks are refusing to grant him more loans. If what the governor of the state of Osun said is true, then borrowing N10billion to pay salaries and get government running is good in the short-term but a disaster in the long run.

Note that governor Ortom intends to pay just one(1) month across board and ensure the take-off of government activities. Mind you workers haven't been paid for five(5) months, so how will the remaining arrears be settled? I just hope he won't be going to the bank to borrow another billions. If we can learn anything from the Osun experience, then we must know that time will come when banks will no longer be willing to give loans. Governor Ortom must find another way out.

The Benue state Secretary to the State Government(SSG) also spoke on channels TV about some options the government was looking at exploring to generate revenue to take care of the salary problem like increasing internally generated revenue and cutting cost of governance. They must also do more by investing in areas that will increase production capacity and economic growth. There are countries that are smaller and less endowed than Benue State but are prosperous independent countries, so there is no reason for us to be stranded because of poor federal allocation. I always tell whoever care to listen that Benue state is not an ordinary State but it has remained so because ordinary people have been leading us for a long time.

I understand that the task before the people's governor is not easy. It takes little effort and time to destroy but the opposite is the case when trying to build. So much has been destroyed but it is in difficulties that greatness is revealed. These are unusual times that demand thinking outside the box. If we must borrow money, let's borrow not just to take care of the needs of Benue workers who are just about 20,000 people; let's borrow to harness our potentials to benefit the over 4million people in Benue state. That is the only way we can one day pay these accumulated debts. I understand that governor Ortom has an economic team and my opinion may be considered as the opinion of an ignorant small boy that didn't even study economics or accounting but I decided to lend my voice as an ordinary citizen who is always at the receiving end of every government decision and also as someone who believe in the power of learning from the experiences of others. Before governor Ortom borrow billions to pay Benue workers, he should give a thought on the experience of the state of Osun.

Bemdoo Hulugh is an active citizen and he writes from Makurdi
You can also interact with him on tweeter @bumy04

Between 90 and 9 Billion: The need to set the Records Straight

By Simon Hwande
Penultimate week the news that became rave in Benue State and the nation indeed was the information that the state's debt profile amounted to 90 Billion instead of the 9 billion Naira earlier quoted by Suswam in his handover notes.

This news has become an item of propaganda and discourse with many chastising the outgone governor with serious show of sympathy for the present state governor.  This sympathy whether right or wrong, is a matter for another discourse. This is even as it is no longer news that Gabriel Suswam may have squandered the state's resources as claimed, however it will only be wise if we get issues right and set the records straight to clear all misconceptions that may arise from this bogus figure of 90 Billion Naira.
Loans are meant to be paid and are also certainly a burden on the state's purse and will affect the running of the government in the long run, be that as it may, it will only be proper that the right loan position of the state br understood.
In his declaration of the state's debt position, Governor Samuel Ortom listed the debts as N50 billion for ongoing contracts, N18 billion for certified ones, N12 billion for salary arrears and about ten billion for bonds and bank loans.
The breakdown of the debts as presented above will also not be questioned or contested however the import of such loan subheads is the real reason for this discourse.
Prior to the swearing-in of the new administration and through out the campaign era, there was serious demonisation of the Suswam administration for owing salaries and pensions, little mind was given to the fact that there was a general global crunch with a huge debt accumulation by many states.
It rather vindicating today to realise that Gabriel Suswam was not the architect of the state's financial situation As about 17 states have been revealed to be owing salaries with Osun state on the top of the list having over six months in the same league with Benue. It will be so unfair to demonise the previous administration on this basis. It may be corrupt and irresponsible but let's remember when it rains, all homesteads are affected.
As analysed by the governor himself, majority of the loans which amount to a huge sum as 50 million Naira would be morally wrong to be categorised as a loan since it is accrued to contracts that are actually in progress and thus technically nobody owes anyone 50 billion Naira as till such a project is completed the contractor lacks the locus standi to demand payment.
The inclusion of bonds which was estimated to about ten billion Naira, smacks more of some form of mild mischief as a peek into the debt history of the state it will be revealed that the state has prior to Suswam's administration been indebted via loans and were inherited by Suswam on inception. Even as the state may owe that much let the administration be honest enough to show which of these bonds were acquired during Suswam's era and those which were not accrued by him.
For every relationship and structure a solid foundation is essential,  which is why it is essential that this administration starts with a concrete foundation built on trust and fairness by first and foremost coming out clear on this and other issues.
It is on this previous premise that I here wish to enjoin this government which has been dutifully voted and supported by the masses that the Ortom administration is enjoined to shift fro  the customary blame game and embark on a confidence building campaign by making known the buffers set to forestall such reoocurent indebtedness alongside an economic progress plan as a divergent from our known norm of business as usual to the expected change.
Even as it generally perceived that the administration is too early to achieve certain gains however as it is believed in the African parlance that a left handed child starts from birth thus it is never too early to prove his mettle.
Finally it is also an acclaimed saying that nobody is totally bad, there is certainly an iota of goodness in such a person. It is in this vein that it will only be proper that in our chastity of Suswam's era and policies there should be a meticulous look at such policies as he also made some giant moves and laid solid foundation policies which should be built upon.

Benue APC Crisis : Abba Yaro AttacksMembers

All is certainly not well with the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State as the crisis has taken a bloody turn as yesterday the state chairman, Comrade Abba

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Yaro reportedly led some group of political thugs to attack party chieftains during a meeting in Makurdi, the State capital.

The attack it was gathered was as a result of a disagreement which arose during a meeting held at Monatel Hotel, Makurdi, to resolve the issue of appointments in Ogbadibo.

It was learnt that apart from the Deputy Governor, others at the meeting were Tony Odo, the Ogbadibo Local Government Campaign Coordinator for Ortom/Abounu and Chief Johnson Agada, the APC Leader of the same local government.

It was gathered that Chief Agada and other party leaders had insisted that in the interest of justice and equity, it was the turn of Orokam District to produce the Caretaker Chairman, and more so, the district gave APC 100 percent.

Orokam and Owukpa had previously produced caretaker chairman of the local government.

However, this opinion did not go down well with Yaro, who argued that his candidate, Benson Audu was the best man for the job.


He claimed that the Governor had given him the complete control of the council as compensation for his role in the Party’s victory.

According to eye witness report, shortly after the Deputy Governor had left the hotel, Abba Yaro, the State APC Chairman, who got wind of the meeting, stormed the hotel about 11.30pm with 6 thugs who beat up Tony Odo mercilessly, upon citing him.

“He severally asked of the whereabouts of Chief Johnson Agada, before he broke a plastic chair on the head of his candidate’s opponent, Tony Odo and he subsequently ordered his boys to stab him on his ear.

“Agada narrowly escaped the attack after which he put a call across to the Deputy Governor to report the incident.


“The victim was taken to a hospital in Makurdi where doctors are battling to save his life”, the source hinted.

Speaking further, the eyewitness said, all memebers present at the meeting were shocked beyond words at the conduct of the APC Chairman, Yaro.

“Honestly, Yaro got himself practically involved in thuggery as he was itching to fight but was successfully restrained by the APC Zonal Chairman for Benue South (Zone C) Murtala Mohammed, who accompanied him”, he added.

When contacted, Agada APC leader in Ogbadibo, he confirmed the ugly incident, saying that Yaro had even at a recent caucus meeting in Ogbadibo averred that the local government belonged to him.

His words, “I’m not surprised because he had vowed to deal ruthlessly with anyone who opposes his choice of caretaker Chairman, Benson Audu from Otukpa District. His insistence on Audu and willingness to destroy the party is not based on justice, equity or merit but personal aggrandizement.

“He came because of me but when I heard what was going on, I refused to come out of my hotel hotel room. I heard him shouting ‘where is Agada’, before he ordered his boy to cut off one of Odo’s ears and they left the scene”.

Another party member who does not want his name in print confirmed the incident, said Yaro had always operated with the highest level of impunity.

“He moves around with a team of Police who have thugs embedded.

“At the Kangaroo stakeholders meeting he organized recently in Ogbadibo, he used the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to intimidate his opponents out of the venue.

“His continued stay in office as State Party Chairman will cost the party and the state dearly. He has never been an asset but a great liability”, he said.

However the  the police authorities, have denied knowledge of the incident.

When contacted, Abba Yaro said he was in Abuja at the time the said incident occurred.

He added that it was lies concocted by some persons to rubbish his hard earned name and reputation

Of Jime and Imposition

"SEN. AKUME: By blatantly disregarding the laws of the land and importing a PDP person who never contested the seat in APC, the allegations of your candidate imposition and tyranny comes alive yet

Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime

again. These undemocratic stance are part of why our party the APC is afraid of entrusting you with bigger responsibilities. Do away with bias, focus on merit and regard for law then maybe, just maybe you will become the national leader that your potential truly possesses."- Gwaza Ibn Madaki ( Jime's Former Legislative Aide on Facebook)

It has become a pastime for aides and followers of Rt Hon Emmanuel Jime to at very turn, paint Senator George Akume in very bad light. The reason or reasons for this is not far fetched. Sen Akume whom Hon Jime had hopped will swerve support in his favour to win the All Progressives Congress, APC gubernatorial ticket in Benue state lost under circumstances many qualify as not too tidy. This we all agree. And yes, Akume had done Jime this sort of favour (imposition) in the past. That is why he was all round Sen Akume when he defected to the APC ahead of the 205 general elections, believing that such a feat might be repeated.

Flash back:

In the run up to the 2007 elections, Sen Akume was rounding up his second term as governor of Benue state. The elections into various offices were up. For Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Hon Cletus Upaa, one time Accountant-General of Benue state, himself an Ihyarev man had spent 8 years in the lower chambers of the National Assembly. And so Barr Pius Chagu, former Chairman of Makurdi Local government and also a former chief executive of Lower Benue River Basin Authority alongside Pharmacist John Enger were the front line aspirants for the Makurdi/Guma Federal seat. Enger  was later elected Council chairman of Guma Local Government.

In one of such informal political meetings in the governmnet house with some selected leaders of the PDP from MINDA axis, Sen Akume, the governor of Benue state then, demanded that 'the Speaker' be asked to come forward to contest the House of Representatives seat. Many assumed it was Hon Stephen Tsav who was seen to be closer to Akume. On further enquiries, it was discovered that Akume actually wanted Hon Jime. And that is how Hon Jime's current political profile took off after his not so impressive legal practice in Abuja.

Sen Akume facilitated Jime's nomination even after he lost the PDP primaries coming a distant third position to Hon Pius Chagu and Hon John Enger. Chagu has not forgiven Akume for this action. Jime went on to win the election proper with finances coming from the former governor. Was this not an imposition? Did Chagu release his aides to keep on insulting Senator Akume?

Imposition in Nigerian politics is akin to the second nature of political leaders in this clime. From age to age, these leaders who emerged have indulged in this same attitude. Most political office holders are beneficiaries of this 'undemocratic' brand of politicking. Interestingly,  it has served us as a people which is why godfatherism thrives in our political dictionary. It's even worse in developing democracies just like ours. Here, individuals who control the levers of power in these parties are more powerful than the party itself. Do a checklist. From JS Tarka to Paul Unongo, Sen Barnabas Gemade, Sen Akume, Sen. David Mark, Rt Gabriel Torwua Suswam. Just name them. And the list is endless.

Now, do i subscribe to impunity and disregard to democratic tenets? Definitely not. So what is my argument?  Simple: Jime and his league of supoorters, should eschew bitterness and stop painting Senator Akume in bad light. The emergence of Samuel Ortom as Benue state Governor may have been untidy but the exigencies of the time warranted it.  Besides, Jime has been a beneficiary of Akume's imposition in the past. It's therefore not strange for him to be a victim now. Pius Chagu and Hon John Enger did not take the PDP to court simply because they were badly treated by the party leader in favour of Hon Jime.

All said, Jime should be advised to continue to be a faithful party loyalist. As it stands now, the earlier he sees reason and respect party hierarchy, the better. If not, when the books of the FCTA are opened for scrutiny, his role as House Committee Chairman of the FCT will come under searchlight. Who knows how his millions came that he approached the governorship race with so much gusto and pride? Who knows if he was remotely connected to some non executed contracts in the administration of Senator Bala Muhammed as Minister of the FCT?