From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A group operating under the auspices of Ior-Ijemgbagh Development Association has called on the people of Benue state, particularly, the Jemgbagh people to continue to support the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia to enable him deliver democracy dividends to the people.
The Jemgbagh intermediate area comprises of of Gboko, Buruku, and Tarka Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state where the Secretary to the Government of Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume hails from.
The group applauded the Governor for his inclusive leadership style in the affairs of the state pledging to support him all the way.
Ior-Ijemgbagh, in a statement signed by the Secretary, Tivlumun Aminde and made available to newsmen in Makurdi stated that Governor Alia has embraced every interest across the state in areas of appointment and distribution of infrastructural developments.
They therefore distanced themselves from the statement issued recently by Jemgbagh Development Association, in which the association blamed the Governor, among other things, for neglect and constantly attempting to undermine the person and office of the SGF describing it as grossly untrue and misleading.
The Ior-Ijemgbagh group said, “Despite being from the Jechira cultural block, our Governor has shown remarkable commitment to inclusivity, embracing every interest across the state without favoring any particular bloc over the others.
“Furthermore, the governor has demonstrated strong commitment to the development of Jemgbagh area, just as in other parts of the State. The governor’s policies and initiatives are geared towards the overall development of our dear state of Benue.
“These efforts aim to enhance and improve the quality of life of our people, through various projects including construction of underpass in Gboko which is 95% completion, construction of the Ring Road from the New road running through Low Coast to Old Barn to St. Joseph Catholic Church Tyobo, terminating at under-pass at Gyado junction-under construction mong others.
The group also noted that Jemgbagh Development Association condemned the purported removal of the Speaker, Aondona Dajoh who is of Jemgbagh intermediate block.
But Ior-Ijemgbagh noted that “Aondona Dajoh voluntarily resigned his position as speaker of the State House of Assembly and the House thereafter exercised its constitutional power to elect a new speaker, and this has nothing to do with the governor of the state.
The group described the SGF, Senator George Akume as a leader in the state and beyond and called on sons and daughters of Jemgbagh and all the people of the state to support the governor in his quest to develop the state.
“The SGF remains a vital institution in our governance structure. We urge the public to disregard the baseless assertions and focus on promoting government’s tangible achievements and the welfare of the entire Benue people.”
