Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Monday Morgan (rtd) have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as imbalance in the selection of ministerial nominee to represent Benue State.
A group under the auspices of Concerned Zone C Politicians, retired generals and youths in Abuja said the next minister from Benue should be from Zone C to check: “the huge imbalance”.
Briefing reporters in Abuja on the development, Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Morgan (rtd), said the group rejects another Tiv son to become minister.
Morgan said: “It has become expedient to call for this press conference in view of the political development in Benue State. The wind of change that swept through Benue with the emergence of Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia in an election that was won throughout the 3 Senatorial districts by APC, Clearly showed the strategic approach the APC Leaderships in all the zones demonstrated to recapture power in Benue.
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“Consequently, the realignment of Benue to the national grid of politics brought more good tidings by the appointment of our Political Leader Sen George Akume as the Secretary to the Federal government. This great opportunity given to Benue, is an opportunity for Benue to become the platform to unite all northern minorities ( Middle belt), Southern minorities and all and sundry in strong support for the pragmatic leadership the President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is proffering. It is in view of this that we under the umbrella of Concerned Zone C Politicians, retired Generals and the youth wish to thank God Almighty for the emergence of Our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this perilous time of Nigerian fragile state,when a unifer was in dire need.
“The race for ministerial positions has started and the first ministerial list has been released. What started as rumor in the political circle that another Tiv son is being prepared to be handed over to the President and Commander in Chief has materialised. We are highly agitated against this move because if within the state we are inconsequential with the arrays of professionals and human resources that abound , and again such neglect is extended to the centre orchestrated by our traducers, then where do we as a nation belong.. Rejected at home and ignored in the centre. Where lies the future of the Idoma nation in Nigeria?
“in view of the forgoing, we passionately employ the President and Commander in Chief President Tinubu to put a searchlight on Benue to have details of the political marginalisation that is going on in that enclave”.
In Benue, AVM Morgan said the victory of Fr Alia brought succor to the suffering masses of Benue, particularly to the minorities of zone C and other minorities within Zone A and B, adding that the group’s anticipation is that Justice and equity that had eluded Benue for over 47 years was on its way to be entrenched.
“The recent appointments lately by the governor, still towing the old line of denying zone c the position of SSG raised a flag that our joy is likely to be short- lived. We are aware of the maiden courtesy call by one of the major platforms led by its National Coordinator Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan on, Our governor before his swearing, where the group on our behalf vehemently demanded for the return of the post of SSG to Zone C to show sign of good faith hoping that a new era had come. The plea was aired in Radio Benue and most media networks. Unfortunately When the Governor made his first and crucial appointments , Zone C that has never been given an opportunity to rule Benue since its creation, still lost the post of SSG. The Benue political configuration thus is like thi: Governor_Tiv, Speaker _Tiv, chief Judge Tiv and SSG Tiv. What then is the future of the Idomas and other minorities in Benue?
“Our prayers are as follows; The next Minister from Benue should be from zone C to check the huge imbalance. The President should kindly look into this case prudently so that the needed peace and unity can flourish in Benue State”.