A group operating under the name, Benue Concerned Citizens for Development Thursday accused the “Zone “A” People’s Assembly, ZAPA, of fanning embers of disunity among leaders in Benue.
The group made this known while reacting to a press conference addressed by ZAPA, earlier in the week, which accused the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs Senator George Akume of engaging in campaign of calumny against the Zone ‘A’ people.
ZAPA had in the conference alleged that Sen Akume was responsible for removal of Sen. Barnabas Gemade as the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, and many other highly placed persons from the zone.
They alleged that the former Governor had hatched a systematic plot against their part of the state, and had been carefully executing same for quite some time, destroying and pulling down emerging leaders from the area.
But in a swift reaction, the Benue Concerned Citizens for Development, said ZAPA’s action was targeted at maligning Sen. Akume including a futile attempt to disparage his present office as the only Benue person in President Buhari’s cabinet.
According to the group, the alleged phone conversation between Akume and Ortom was made around February last year and issues in the conversation were resolved and all parties involved had long reconciled.
The group said ZAPA was blinded from seeing the lofty initiatives that Akume as a serving minister has introduced in the Special Duties Ministry, making him a pacesetter.
“At this critical juncture, Benue State and Nigeria need peace for development purposes.
“It is therefore imperative for our leaders in Benue State and their followers to close ranks and work towards attaining the peace and development of Benue State and the rest of the country, Nigeria.
“No development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos.
“ZAPA should understand that when brothers fight themselves to death, a stranger will inherit their father’s estate.
“Hence they should seek peace rather than fanning the embers of disunity amongst our leaders in the state,” the group added.
