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APRIL 9, 2007 VOL. 20. NO 26

Titanic Clashes

Governor George Akume of Benue State

Five persons die and 10 villages torched as Action Congress (AC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) supporters clash severally in Benue State
By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
The political differences between the former senate president, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and the Benue Sate Governor, Dr. George Akume has assumed a dangerous dimension. Before the differences, Ayu apparently had the final say in the policies and programmes of the state government. But things are no longer the same. Ayu had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), for the Action Congress (AC), while Governor Akume is still in PDP. Even as the county is still counting days to the elections, supporters of these political chieftains have clashed at several instances in various local governments in Benue State. In comparative terms what happened in Buruku was the worst.
The Source's investigation reveal that on February 14, Ac members had a meeting in the house of an aspirant for the House of Assembly under the platform of PDP but who had decamped to Ac, as the party’s candidate for House of Assembly election. While the meeting was on, armed youths reportedly invaded the meeting and disrupted it. The youths shot dead one Emmanuel Adidi of the AC. The AC members alleged that it was the PDP that organised the youths.
Last weekend, some youths alleged to be PDP members raided the AC secretariat in Gboko, located at Adekaa and pulled down all the party flags. When The Source called on him for comments, the state police commissioner was not on seat but the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Samuel Junado was reluctant to confirm that the attack on the party’s Secretariat was done by the PDP. According to him, only the commissioner of police could comment on it.
The Source gathered also, that AC meetings were disrupted in Logo local government at Abeda and Gondozua. The thugs that disrupted the meetings were also alleged to be from PDP. A North east senatorial candidate on the plaform of AC, Senator (Prof.) David Iornem told The Source that when he wanted to visit the area for campaigns, the leaders of the party in the area advised him that the place was unsafe. According to Iornem, he insisted on going to the area but was barred by some violent youths when he arrived Abeda. Narrating his experience, Iornem said, “People have the right to support any candidate. It is only out of ignorance that people are misled so that they are denied the chance to listen to other candidates.” He advised political leaders to educate the people and encourage them to listen to any candidate for a free-and-fair election. According to him, this could be done if free opinion and expression are allowed.
Buruku local government was the worst hit as it had a bitter experience concerning the clash. The Source learnt that on March 18, 2007, there was a clash that led to the death of a PDP member. The murder was allegedly committed by AC members. The cause of the disagreement that led to the death of the PDP member is yet to be ascertained. But a source close at the scene of the incident informed The source, that there was a heated argument that degenerated into a fight which consequently led to the death of one man.
Following the death of the PDP member, several arrests were made. Among those arrested was the Director General of the campaign of the gubernatorial candidate of the AC, Aondowase Chia. Chia, it was learnt, was later released on bail. The incident was said to have taken place in Kusuv district of Buruku local government.
Angered by the death of their member, an informer revealed to The Source, PDP youths mobilised themselves and attacked more AC members in other parts of the local government. The Source visited the area and can report that the destruction caused was enormous. About 10 villages were reduced to ashes. The angry PDP members were reported to have carried the corpse of their dead colleague to the other parts of the local government to unleash mayhem in the area. According to the report, three more deaths were recorded as several other people believed to be AC supporters were mercilessly injured. When The Source sought to know from the state police command, it was learnt that about seven persons had been arrested in connection with the bloody clash. The command also confirmed that three people died during the last clash.
The Source also gathered that about two weeks ago, the local government chairman, Azor Chamegh, had it rough with some youths alleged to be AC members. The said youths beat him mercilessly together with his orderly, who is still receiving medical attention.
Speaking to journalists in reaction to the incident, the gubernatorial candidate of the AC, Shima Ayati, exonerated his campaign director, Chia. Ayati told journalists that the PDP was looking for a way to rope Chia to the murder case. According to him, it was the PDP that was committing atrocities in the local government. Ayati assured the people, however, that no amount of intimidation would deter them. He used the forum to reveal how the police command had given orders of shoot at sight anybody seen to be protesting the disqualification of AC's presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. The AC in the state had planned to protest the disqualification of their candidate.
A strong supporter of the PDP in the area who spoke when The Source visited (on the ground of anonymity for fear of being the next victim) blamed AC supporters in the area for the deaths which the crisis had caused. According to him, AC supporters were responsible for the cause of the crises.
The state police command has also revealed its plan to embark on a thorough search of residences of local government chairmen in the state. This, The Source learnt, is not unconnected with the allegation that some chairmen were responsible for the crisis in their areas.
The AC, The Source learnt, is very strong in Gboko and Buruku local governments. It is strong in Gboko because it is the home of Ayu who is the Director General of Atiku Abubakar's campaign oprganisation. It is equally strong in Buruku because of Dr. Laha Dzever, former chairman, Sate Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). He was removed when his loyalty was believed to be more to Ayu. Investigations has shown also that the PDP was winning in these local governments because of the support of these two people. That these two are now in an opposition party, the victory of PDP in these areas is in serious doubt, moreso as the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) has also not folded its arms.
No doubt, whatever happens in these parties could be traced to the fact that it was been done to curry Ayu’s or Akume’s favour. It is worth pointing out that the Senatorial district which Akume is intending to represent at the senate includes all the crises areas.
Not too long ago, Ayu had vowed that Akume would never make the senate. The senatorial seat is originally for the Buruku people in accordance with the zoning arrangement in the state and particularly, among the Tiv people.
But this is just the tip of the ice- berg as elections have not come yet. There are clear indications that if these political parties, particularly the youths in the various parties, are not checked, the elections would, perhaps, be more bloodier.