Young Alhaji Can't Succeed Mark- Morro

A crack in the 3once enviable relationship between former Senate President David Mark and Former Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Morro may have emerged due to recent romance and alleged decision to handover the Senate Position in 2020 to Alh. Usman Abubakar also known as Young Alhaji.

According to sources close to the former Minister, Comr. Morro has decided to relax his contribution and activities in the ongoing Benue South Senatorial rerun Campaigns in favour of Senator David Mark due to his disappointment in the former’s recent succesorship comments.

Our source who is a close aide of the former minister toldBenue Post that his boss had confronted the former senate president over the rumour of his endorsement of Young Alhaji as his successor to which the later retorted with that,  it was his decision to make and no one had the right to dictate for him who best suits the position.

He further informed that, the discussion which degenerated into a shouting contest, saw Morro vow to destroy everything Mark had worked for since he was not appreciated while the former senate president has vowed to reawaken Morro’s gun running and also use all tools in his disposal to ensure the case against the former interior minister aty the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meanwhile official statements are yet to be heard from both quarters even as there is rumour rife in the senatorial district of David Mark’s Decision to relinquish his seat to his former rival, Usman Abubakar.e known as Young Alhaji, who hasopenly declared his support for his once political rival, Mark against his own Orokam kinsman, Daniel Onjeh.

No Igede Man Will Vote David Mark - Igede Youth Mandate

All may not be well for former Senate President David Mark, as there has continued to be agitations opposing his return to the Senate.

A Socio-Political Organisation, Igede Youth Mandate, has vowed that no Igede man will vote the former senate president who they said has nothing in store for the senatorial district, describing him as “an epitome of marginalisation and dishonesty”.

Senator  David Mark 

The group led by their National President, Comrade Linus Eru made this resolve during a congress meeting which held at the Government Secondary School Ikachi, in Oju Local Government. He said the Igede tribe had suffered marginalisation in the hands of the just ousted senator and will not desire to go through the same ordeal again.

He said, “It will be a big lie if anyone tells you that a true Igede son or daughter will vote for Mark again. We have suffered too long in his hands even though we never voted for him. What has the Igede nation got for his 16 years in Abuja? We cannot go back to Egypt”.

Comrade Eru described the court decision as a message from God to inform the former senator that it is the end of the road for him, as the advent of card readers will no longer make it business as usual where intimidation and rigging were the order of the day.

According to him the Igede nation were solidly behind the candidacy of Daniel Onjeh who they said has shown a high level of bravery and commitment to deliver the Benue South Senatorial District from the draconian rule of Mark, a feat which even elders feared to dare.

Senator David Mark is billed to face Comrade Daniel Onjeh in a Senatorial rerun election in February next year.

Senator David Mark's Homeland "Grand Entrance" Ends in Chaos

•Spends N75 million on hired crowd

By Gabriel Ochoga 

It's no news that former Senate President and ousted Senator representing Benue South senatorial district, yesterday made a grand entrance into Otukpo, the ancestral home of the Idoma people.

Sen. Mark who was received by a huge crowd assembled from party supporters across that state, made his way through the ancient town to the palace of the Och’Idoma, the tradition ruler of Idoma people where he was warmly received. 

Trouble however broke out when some of the youths who have come from the various local governments were denied the stipend they were promised after it was rumoured that five-time Senator had release a whooping some of N75 million for that purpose.

The leader of the Idoma Coalition For Mark, Comrade Adah Ocholi who was embittered by the development said he brought 58 of his members to welcome the Senator only to be given N5,000 only.

"What will I do with 5,000 Naira. We came 58 of us and this is all we got. This is not a good thing at all." he said.

It was later revealed that some of the Coordinators had made away with huge sums of the largesse at the detriment of the youths. Some of the supporters who came as far as Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala had to be transported back by the politicians that accompanied them. 

Senator David Mark is gearing up to face APCs Comrade Daniel Onjeh in a rerun elections in February next year after his victory at this year's poll was annulled at the court of appeal.

Group Flays Ortom’s Victory at Appeal Court

A Non-Governmental Organization, New Benue Rebirth Initiative  has flayed the appeal court decision upholding the election of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State terming it "another manipulation of the judicial processes in the country where the highest bidder goes home with predetermined declarations that are not in tandem with the spirit of the law".

Dr. Samuel Ortom

Princess Augustina Onyilo, National Secretary of the group speaking to pressmen in reaction to the judgement that was read  by Honourable  Justice, Muhammadu Garuba on behalf of the five man panel, says the judiciary has once again failed to play its sacred role in a democracy,  as well thought out by the constitution to be man's saving grace in the face of irregularities, manipulation and wickedness.

"The negative consequences of this judgement today far outweigh our successes in the last 16 years, as a sovereign state and as a people and therefore the need to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court must be exhausted in order to put smiles on the faces of the common masses of Benue State who have had to endure the negative effect of a stolen mandate for too long a time."

" Nigerians and the rest of the world have seen and heard how our single constitution in the country could be interpreted in ways and manner that it suits the interest of very powerful persons in the society."

Speaking further, She said the gaps in the  judgement will be addressed at the Supreme Court and therefore called on the People's Democratic Party candidate, Prince Tarhemen Tarzor to without any hesitation approach the Supreme Court to claim the popular mandate that was given to him by the people of Benue State.

" We stand bold in the face of this conspiracy to call on Prince Tarhemen Tarzor to as a matter of patriotism proceed to the apex court in the land to make sure that the people's mandate which was snatched from him is restored back to the people,  the judgement according to her will not stand the acid test of Justice under our law and this move will surely deepen the strength of our laws above the dictates of godfathers," she added.
Meanwhile she has called on the people of Benue State  to remain law abiding citizens and positive that the Supreme Court will address the injustice, She queried that democracy can not exist without the rule of law and a strong judiciary that is devoid of external influences and temptations. 

Mr. Tahav Agerzua should keep quiet if he lacks what to say

By Awunah Pius Terwase,
The pointless commentaries and eye-servicing statements always making by Mr. Tahav Agerzua in defence of Governor Samuel Ortom are becoming unbecoming and the time to call him to order is now. Tahav Agerzua is a Special Advisor to governor Ortom, on Media and Information Communication Technology (ICT). Looking at his position, he is to advice the governor on media and ICT issues and not to be attacking the concerned citizens of the state and other people for advising governor Ortom through their constructive criticisms.

I took my time to read with keen interest an article written by Mr. Emmanuel Bello, former Information Commissioner in Taraba State and published in Sun Newspaper, about what transpired before the materialization of Samuel Ortom as the APC’s candidate in the past governorship election in the state. Therefore, I must acknowledge that what Mr. Bello narrated in that article was the obvious truth. Without Bello even telling anybody through his analysis but we all know that somebody (Senator Akume), who claimed to be the most powerful Political Gladiator in the state so far, did everything illegally possible to secure APC’s Governorship Ticket for the present Governor, Ortom.

However, despite giving a preferential treatment to Ortom, Benue people were truly tired about the tyrannical system of leadership exhibited by Mr. Gabriel Suswam, now the former governor of the state. Bringing the so called Tarzoo by Suswam to contest for governorship in the state, it was like imposing the young Tarzoo on the people due to the fact that the person who brought him was seemed to be untrustworthy felon who needed somebody like him to cover his fraudulent activities after leaving the office, and the best person for that covering job was him that Suswam brought and presented before the Benue People.

The issue to be noted here is that the so called Tahav Agerzua confidently denied this fact and as usual, attacked the writer, Mr Bello vehemently through his rejoinder.

I am not writing in defence of Mr. Bello but rather to lament on the needless attacks of Tahav Agerzua against anyone who criticize governor Ortom. Mr. Tahav Agerzua has benefited from almost every administration that came on board, right from 1999 to date. Any governor that is on board carries Agerzua along but I am yet to see the contribution of Tahav Agerzua towards the development of the state. I wonder why Mr. Agerzua cannot remain in one party. He is always jumping from one party to the other in order to remain in position of authority. Tahav Agerzua was the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akume, now a serving senator. The same Tahav Agerzua worked as the Director, Media and Publicity to Gabriel Suswam’s Governorship Campaign Organization from June, 2006 to February, 2007 and he was compensated with an appointment. Notwithstanding, see Tahav Agerzua here again, serving as the Special Advisor to Governor Ortom on Media and ICT. Jumping from one party to the other and contributing nothing to the development of the state.

Our Benue leaders and beyond are always after their gains and not after the wellbeing of the poor masses and Mr. Tahav Agerzua is not an exception. One may wonder why I know so much about Agerzua and why I may commenting on his activities with a devoted interest. The truth is that I am tired of those people who claimed to be saints but more dangerous than those known to be dangerous. These saint people were in government and still in government but they are not doing any better from others. They keep blaming and accusing others of being corrupt as if they are good and better than those being accused. Can Tahav Agerzua swear that he has never embezzled or taken what belonged to the Benue people and enriched him-self? Senator Akume who ruled Benue State for good eight years, can he swear that he has never taken what belonged to the Benue People and enriched himself?  Can Senator Barnabas Gemade, who was the Deputy General Manager of Benue Cement and now senator, representing Benue North East, vow that he has never enriched himself with Benue money? Can the former Senate President, who is still a senator, Dr. David Mark, pledge that he has never in his life enriched himself with Benue money and beyond? Is there any former and current political office holder in Benue State and Nigeria at large that is not guilty of corruption? Remember, corruption is the wrong doing of the people, most especially those in the position of authority due to the fact that their own kind of corruption is rotten.

Conclusively, none of our leader that is a saint, both the former and the present ones, therefore, they should stop blaming, condemning and accusing others of being responsible to the problems we are facing now because they are all responsible. This is the time to work collectively beyond party, religion and tribally for the better development of our states and country. Mr. Tahav Agerzua should Change.

Awunah Pius Terwase,
A graduate of Mass Communication From,
Kaduna Polytechnic.
Wrote From Mpape,
Abuja.
08179289948
piusawunah@ymail.com

Hembe cause of crisis in Okpokwu - Deputy Speaker, Hon James Okefe

The leadership crisis in Okpokwu Local Government Area took a different turn this week as the caretaker chairman, Barr Chris Iduh and his EXCO appeared before the floor of Benue State House of Assembly to defend alleged allegations against the Deputy Speaker, Hon James Okefe.

The house had attributed to the chairman,  a post on Benuepost.blogspot.com in which the Deputy Speaker was accused of arm twisting the chairman into giving him a share of the council's monthly allocation. The House then invited the chairman and one Ati Terkula, a journalist and blogger who also published the post on his blog with the title "Okpokwu Local Government Crisis: The Untold Story"

Despite the thick air of suspicion surrounding the Deputy Speaker, the Assembly failed to quiz him, after which he was quick to make a press release claiming that he had been absolved of all allegations. It is interesting that the Benue State House of Assembly which has not passed a single bill since May pushed aside serious issues to discuss a Blog posting about it's Deputy Speaker. However, fresh revelations have emerged on how Hon Okefe courted the Okpokwu Local Government allocations in far away United States of America and now blames Hon. Herman Hembe, member representing Vandeikya/Konshisha federal constituency, for his woes in the local government.

It was gathered that a few months ago, at the Idoma Day Celebration in the US, Hon Okefe (who accompanied the Deputy Governor as part of the state delegation) met Hon Herman Hembe who is believed to have pushed for the nomination of Barr Chris Iduh for caretaker chairman.

Hon Hembe is said to have cashed in on the demand for the Edumoga people to produce the Chairman of the Council since Edumoga people make up 70 percent of the population of Okpokwu LGA whilst Okpoga where Hon Okefe comes from make up just 20 percent with Ichama bringing the last 10 percent. Barrister Iduh from Edumoga district was Hon Hembe's room mate in the University.

Hon Okefe demanded for his "share"  of the local government allocation from Hon Hembe at the meeting in the US but he was quickly rebuked by the federal member who told him to cast such thoughts away. After trying all avenues of getting his "share" to no avail, the Deputy Speaker has vowed to crush all in the wake of his political trajectory, the local Government chairman, Barr Chris Iduh and his friend Hon Herman Hembe inclusive.

When Benuepost.blogspot.com contacted Hon Okefe on the issue, he responded very angrily, shouting, "Who is Hembe, don't ever mention that name to me" before cutting the line.

All efforts to reach Hon Hembe were futile as he did not answer his phone nor return our call.

Revealed! The Real Hands Behind Okpokwu Local Government Crisis

It is no longer news that Okpokwu Local Government is currently embroiled in serious leadership and political crisis which has degenerated to serious issues of slander and blackmail concerning the local government's monthly allocation.

However investigation into the matter have revealed that the real hands Behind the crisis is the Special Adviser on Ethics and Value Orientation, Dr Godwin Ameh Idoko. Dr. Ameh whose appointment was made possible by the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. James Okefe.

According to our source, Idoko who is Okefe's political dependant was brought in by the Deputy Speaker, Hon James Okefe and together have been demanding for a share of the Okpokwu Local Government allocation from the caretaker chairman, Barr. Chris Idu.

Findings have however proven that there has actually been an arm twisting and cajole for the monthly allocation. This ploy has been uncovered to be hatched by the same Special Adviser and Deputy Speaker who have engaged in deep intrigues aimed at blackmailing and intimidating the caretaker chairman of Okpokwu Local Government, Bar. Chris Idu and anybody that opposes them.

However the chairman had allegedly refused to compromise in this regard, as according to him it will not be possible in this new dispensation due to the zero tolerance to corruption stance of the governor and the strict monitoring of local government funds.

It has been uncovered that the recent ploy is aimed at pulling the Governor into the battle as just recently the adviser, acting on the mandate of Hon Okefe went behind to Governor Ortom and demanded that he be allowed to choose the next Local Government Chairman in January 2016, the intention is to bring someone in who would compromise unlike the present one.

This plot which has not gone down well with the Deputy Governor who has insisted that the right thing should be done has also become an enemy to them and as a result they have taken the fight to him.

Our source further confirmed that in a recent meeting, the adviser referred to the Deputy Governor as "mere Deputy Governor" while inquiring what rights he had to interfere with Okpokwu Local Government matters.

The plot which has taken a rather dirty dimension as the adviser is now bent on causing a rift between the Deputy Governor and the Governor in a bid the play out the nefarious script of the Deputy Speaker.

In all of this, the deputy speaker has maintained an innocent front to avoid exposure of his treachery to the Governor. He has been boosting that the same Pastor that prayed for the Governor has also prayed for him to be the next Deputy Governor hence the motive behind his cat fight to become politically dominant at the cost of the electorate.