ADIRAHU IGEDE: AN OPEN LETER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BENUE STATE

ADIRAHU IGEDE: AN OPEN LETER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BENUE STATE

By COALITION OF IGEDE YOUTHS

11 March, 2017.
HIS EXCELENCY,
GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM
BENUE STATE.
Dear Sir

We appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State for his efforts in managing the affairs of Benue State. Please, may we draw your attention to the following Sir:

1. The mustered political will and initial sincerity of purpose that surounds the amendment and execution of the Benue State Chieftaincy Law 2016 so far by your administration is being sabotaged in IGEDE land. Being a man of God, We hold, with utmost seriousness, your public declarations and promise by your good office to provide a level play ground to all that may be nominated for the various Chieftaincy stools across the state. The leaders of the group, some of whom have worked and others still in service with His Excellency are Mr Odeh Ageh, former Commissioner for Information, Mr Linus Ode, DG, Benue Planing Commission and Oju Local Government Sole Administrator, Mr Augustine Okwoche. Their activities and conduct during the aborted selection exercise of the Third and First Class Chiefs in Oju few days ago were not only parochial, flat and lacking acutely in wisdom but were also very capable of inciting Igede people against the government. They potrayed the public image of His Excellency in the worst light to the world by intimidating legitimate members of the electoral college with clauses like "The Governor said You must return Prof. Johnson Onah as your first class Chief". Mr Moses Eneche who led the team of officials from Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters gave the worst definition of character. He was taking calls from the Deputy Governor, Abba Yaro and so many others in public that we could hear clearly some of the instructions being passed to him. He appears to me like someone whose head is on reverse gear. The raw manner by which they exercised the purported gubernatorial mandate is what trigered reactions from the Youths of IGEDE Nation. They were not thugs hired to serve the interest of any politician as alleged. 

2. The neutrality pf the State Government in the election/ selection of the Chiefs starting from the Tiv Traditional Council to now Idoma and Igede Traditional Councils of the Southern senatorial district of Benue State. We plead with His Excellency by actions and inactions to remain so neutral indeed as shining example of a thorough breed of sound democratic culture. His Excellency has always assured the good people of Benue State of his good intentions in various fora regarding the selection of the Chiefs. Its worth placing on records that this is one of many governments that is footed and derives its powers, policy making and execution by the sacred political tool of mass participatory principle and the fear of God. We therefore refuse to believe that the afformentioned acted on your instructions, Sir.

3. His Excelency, With profound humility, in particular reference to the expected emergence of the First Class King for the IGEDE Traditional Council, may we draw your attention to the well-defined traditional laid down procedure and modus operandi of selecting Chiefs in Igede. That is the more reason why the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy maters must work deeply totaly devoid of interference with the IGABWOS, not a clique of politicians. Any average Igede man knows the consequences when the right path is not ffollowed Neutrality of goverment is all the political statement and asurance that is needed to contain the raring quagmire amongst the diferent interest groups. We are not in doubt that His Excellency will keep to his public declaration of neutrality to the very end.

4. His Excellency, the Youths of Igede Nation have no problems with whoever emerges from the remaining two contenders in freely and fairly conducted selection process. That is our utmost concern.

His Excellency, be assured of our continuous support for this government in prayers and in maintanance of peace and tranquility throughout the period of election/ selection of the remaining traditional rulers in Idoma and Igede Areas.

We are confident in the capacities of the Members of the Benue State Hoiuse of Assembly from Igede land, especially Rt Hon Nick Eworo, some of our elders and all men of good will who have in various ways contributed in arresting the unhealthy obsession and manipulations of the aborted selection arising from divergent interests of our people back home and some external forces in the Chieftaincy issue.
We are hopeful of peace in the atmosphere of fairness and justice.

Our Highest Regards Always.

Signed
Comrade Andyson Iji Egbodo
Coordinator,
Coalition of Igede Youths Movement