As part of measures to reconcile aggrieved party members within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State the new State Working Committee, SWC has inaugurated a reconciliation committee.
State party chairman, Ezekiel Adaji inaugurated the committee at the party secretariat in Makurdi the State capital as the party picks up its pieces from the fallout that ensued after its controversial ward, local government and State congresses.
While Adaji believes that the Reconciliation Committee will peacefully resolve the lingering misunderstandings, leader of the party in the State and former Governor, Samuel Ortom along with the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro urged party members to embrace the much desired peace within the main opposition party in the State.
Ortom then seized the opportunity to advise his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia on issues of insecurity and how to tackle the current economic meltdown in the State.
It is expected that the Reconciliation Committee will immediately swing into action to return all aggrieved party members who have formed a parallel SWC in the State to its fold.
Meanwhile, PDP has condemned the arbitrary banning and incessant disruption of Thanksgiving services and peaceful assembly by appointees of Governor Alia and local government chairmen in the state.
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The condemnation followed Sunday’s attempts to disrupt a Thanksgiving service in honour of the senator representing Benue North West, Titus Zam, at NKST Naka in Gwer West LGA, by the council chairman, Victor Ormim.
In a statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the PDP condemned the recent development which they described as
a blatant violation of the citizens rights to freedom of worship, which is a fundamental tenet of democracy. “This sacrilegious aberration appears to have become a pattern since the beginning of this administration.
It will recall that, on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, the former Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha local government, Philip Achua, in company of thugs invaded and disrupted a Thanksgiving mass at the Annunciation Catholic Rectory, in Tsuwe Daka, Konshisha Local Government Area, in honour of the member representing Konshisha-Vandeikya Federal Constituency, Sesoo Ikpagher.
The attack was allegedly supervised by the then-caretaker chairman and the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde.
“Few weeks later, in same Konshisha, the former caretaker chairman of Konshisha local government, Philip Achua in company of thugs attempted to stop a Thanksgiving service in honour of Dr. Mathias Byuan at NKST Agidi, Konshisha local government but was heavily resisted by the people and the Thanksgiving was eventually held.
On the 30th June, 2024, the then caretaker chairman for Guma Local Government, Unongo Simon, attempted to stop a Thanksgiving and church building fundraising service at NKST Daudu in Guma local government, where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and former Governor of the state, Senator George Akume was billed to be the Special Guest. “We are all aware that all efforts to stop the Thanksgiving failed as security was provided and the Thanksgiving/fundraising went on successfully to the glory of God”
“Again on July 26th, 2024, a church service at NKST Ihugh, Vandeikya local government, where the Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Udende was a special guest, was called-off and no service was held at the church on that faithful Sunday, on the orders of the then Caretaker Chairman of Vandeikya local government, now executive chairman of the local government, Mr Dennis Guda.
“Before the ugly incident at NKST Ihugh, on July 5th, 2024, same Dennis Guda, in the company of thugs invaded and violently disrupted proceedings at the 40th Priestly Anniversary/Church Building and Celebration of Papal Award Of Monsignor for Rev. Monsignor Michael Nyitor Buter, held at the Divine Providence Rectory, Bebe in Vandeikya Local Government of Benue State.
The PDP which is the main opposition party in the State insists that the trend of attack must stop. It maintains that the people of the State have the fundamental right to celebrate their blessings and express their gratitude to God without fear of governmental interference.
It therefore called upon all citizens to stand firm against this democratic despotism while urging all Benue State citizens to remain vigilant and united in protecting democracy and their fundamental rights.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
