Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives as a result of unbridled violence that has rocked the state in about a decade in Benue state.
Alhaji Atiku also decried the declining status of the state as the food hamper of Nigeria also occasioned by the worsening cases of insecurity in the past eight years, pledging that all of these shall soon be history of he is voted as president of the country in a few days.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate made the assertions at Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Benue state capital on Monday as part of his campaign tour of the country.
Atiku, who had visited some monarchs in the state as well as the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), told supporters at the Aper Aku stadium that the fortunes of the state as an agricultural base had witnessed a downward spiral because of the orgies of violence that has rocked it since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took mantle of leadership in the country.
“Benue State mostly populated by Tivs and Idoma tribes was receptive to the Fulani in the recent past, to the extent the two tribes of the state had a joking relationship as “abokan wasa.”
“The farms and cattle that are alleged to be the source of friction between the Fulani and Benue people have been in existence since time immemorial So how and why did this acrimony start and thrive ?,” he wondered rhetorically.
“The answer,” he proffered , “is divisive politics,” orchestrated by “wicked politicians that are selling disunifying narratives to the people who have lived in harmony in the past despite their differences in lifestyle and livelihood.
He assured that “as President,” he would “unify all Nigerians by emphasising the good in each and everyone rather than harping on our differences. I will bring the political will to resolve all conflicts amicably to the table.”
He said those who have been displaced by the senseless carnage and civil disturbances, would be returned to their homes before May 2024. “You will celebrate the one anniversary of the incoming PDP government in your homes, in safety and dignity, by the grace of God Almighty,” he emphasized.
At a meeting with the state branch of CAN in Makurdi, he reiterated that he has been in association with the state for over three decades, as a result of which he was given a traditional title of Zege Mule u Tiv.
He expressed displeasure with the current state of insecurity, which has led to the decline of its status as the food basket of the nation, saying “with security restored Benue State will regain its prime position as the food basket of the nation.
“I promise to provide the required assistance in terms of inputs, mechanisation and soft loan to actualise this aspiration,” he added, while further pledging to dredge River Benue to make it navigable to facilitate marine travel as well as mitigate flood disasters.
The PDP candidate donated N25 million for the completion of CAN secretariat in Makurdi while the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu donated N5 million to the same cause.
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Muhammad Bello
Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor
February 7, 2023
Sokoto
