The latest in the series of crises bedeviling the Benue state chapter of the APC is the thrust of this piece by KULA TERSOO in Makurdi
The crises of confidence that bedeviled the Benue state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) right from the pre-inauguration of its harmonization are yet to disappear. Rather, they continue to gather steady steam by the day.
At the moment, the party appears to be passing through its worst moment, making a looming mass exodus of party faithful imminent from its fold. The threat is a major a fallout of the just concluded ward and local government congresses in the state as some top ranked members of the party have described the exercise as a charade not only embarrassing but also a sham.
The aggrieved members specifically complained of some sharp practices which arose from alleged substitution of names of delegates from the original list earlier submitted for the congresses. It was further observed that some heavy weights that would have given some form of credibility to the local government congresses, like the second republic minister of communications, Isaac Shaahu, also distanced themselves from the exercise.
But more disturbing is that, since the beginning of the crises, the allegations have always been that the Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume wants to act a “sole proprietor” to the party in the state. He is consistently accused of not tolerating even the views of other stakeholders, abhors popular choices and takes delight in planting his surrogates in all positions of the party across the state.
Regarding the latest infighting within the party, the former governor is being accused of breaching both the party guidelines by not consulting with other major stakeholders. The complainants alleged his surrogate, Targema Tarkema handpicked by him, was neither a nominal nor statutory member as was provided for in the guidelines for the congresses.
And as if justifying the allegation, Takema, inside sources said, became militant in approach, saying he is ready to fight any candidate that is not giving him money.
Takema’s emergence had angered other major stakeholders including, Usman Abubakar, the 2011 governorship running mate in the state, who amongst others did not only stage a walkout but dragged the party to court and declined participation in any activity organized by the Tarkema-led leadership. His prayers were eventually dismissed on technical ground paving way for Akume to reign supreme.
“As far as I know, there is nothing like the All Progressives Congress in Benue state. What we have is Akume Private Company (APC). It is either you are a shareholder or a customer. But some of us cannot be part of such,” Abubakar said.
The imposition of candidates and suppression of the people’s general wishes must have reached its crescendo recently, especially as was observed during the congresses. For instance, the likes of member representing Buruku Federal Constituency, Hon. Orker Jev and new entrant, Hon. Emmanuel Jime were allegedly schemed out of things while a yet to officially decamped member of the House of Representatives for Jerchira, Herman Hembe was highly favoured. Hembe, though fully participating in APC activities is yet to officially leave his party, the PDP.
Jev in particular is speculated to have been seen by Akume’s think tanks as a threat to the Senate minority leader’s senatorial stool given his popularity which he has garnered beyond his constituency, hence the need to cut him to size. Also, Jime’s entrance which was heralded with much enthusiasm amongst the youth became his albatross.
Even within Akume’s camp, especially Aba Yaro, Nelson Alapa, Benson Abonu, Raph Igbago amongst others from the Southern zone, there seems no longer honour amongst thieves and an emergence of a cat and mouse relationship is fast playing out. Visibly, the congress has torn them apart with all of them petitioning themselves with reckless abandon.
The Director Youth and Mobilization to the APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2011 elections, Dan Nyikwagh said they would no longer pretend that all is well, while the Senate minority leader continues to foist a few individuals to take decision for a larger majority of its members.
He said, “This one-man show and cash and carry regime will surely sink the fortunes of the party. We in the Jechira extraction under the leadership of Chief I. Shaahu have resolved to stay away from the congress, to pave way for Tarkema/PDP Iorwase Hembe to have their way”.
“My father is the State Auditor of PDP. I protested against him and his party and moved to APC thinking I was looking for a place where the peoples say and fairness prevail. But I am disappointed. So, I will surely leave with my people (supporters)”, he declared.
For the third republic Senator, Prof. David Iornem, APC has no excuse, whatsoever, to stage such a shameful outing in their first task as a new party that Nigerians are looking up to.
He wondered why a party endowed with experts and talents in organizational strategies including his humble self, would have a poor outing, adding that the party should have tapped the expertise in its fold.
“Democracy should not be made to cost us too much. Look at what happened during the ward congresses. If you consider that this is farming or cropping season, it was a great sacrifice for our farmers to leave their occupation to come and take part in the Ward Congresses.
“I myself left my consulting business to come and show democratic solidarity with my grassroots supporters. I was ashamed of what my party, the APC, did,” Iornem said.
But the acting spokesperson of the party, Chief Philips Anza in his response said some of the crises were normal, especially that three parties were coming together. He explained that no matter what happens, allegiance to old order must not be ruled out.
While confirming that in the southern zone of the state, there were glaring manipulations, Anza exonerated Akume of any wrong doing saying as a father, the Minority Leader’s silence should be understood as indicating that all are his children.
“Look at what happened in Gboko. Akume’s boy, Simon Abua got a shock of his life. All his candidates were roundly defeated and the result has come to be accepted. But remember, that is Takema, the chairman’ Local Government too. So, how could one blame Akume?” he queried.
Anza who blamed most of the complaints as coming from the disappointed old bloc who never wanted a change in the status quo, however said the national leadership has already constituted an electoral body made up of people from outside the state with the mandate to address the complaints.
