General News
Desist from fanning embers of disunity between Nasarawa, Benue — Nasarawa govt. tells former Benue fed. Lawmaker
By David Odama
Worried by inflammatory comments in the face of insecurity ravaging the country, especially some parts of North central States, Nasarawa state government Wednesday warned a former federal House of representatives from Benue state , Hon.
Denying an aegations that Nasarawa was harbouring attackers of Benue communities, the Senior Special Assistant to governor Abdullahi Se on public Affairs, Peter Ahemba urged the former feder lawmaker to rather contribute to the fight against terrorism rather than shifting blames when the governor of Nasarawa was doing everything to ensure peace in the region especially Benue and plateau.
“The attention of the Nasarawa State Government has been drawn to misleading claims by one Hon. Mark Gbilah, former member of the House of Representatives from Benue State claiming that Nasarawa state is harbouring Benue communities attackers”
“The former lawmaker, while featuring on an African Independent Television (AIT) discussion programme recently, made several malicious statements, alleging that bandits attacking communities in Benue State were being harboured in Nasarawa State.
“Ordinarily we wouldn’t have bothered responding to the unsubstantiated allegations as they have no iota of truth, it has however become necessary to clear the air and set the records straight for the sake of unsuspecting members of the public, who may be misled by this false narrative.
“It is on record that the Nasarawa State Government under the leadership of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has remained consistent in building synergy with neighbouring states, particularly Benue, to enhance peace and address common security challenges confronting the States and beyond.
“As Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman of the North-Central Governors Forum, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has not only demonstrated the State’s solidarity with the Government and people of Benue State over the unfortunate killings but has also been leading collaborative efforts with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to address the security challenges confronting the region.
“Just recently, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, concerned by the rising wave of insecurity in the region, convened a meeting of the North-Central Governors Forum with all the Governors of the region, including the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia in attendance. The Governor also participated in other top-level security meetings with his colleagues, all with a view to find ways of tackling security challenges in the region.
“With this demonstrated solidarity for the people of Benue and other neighbouring states being confronted with security challenges in the region and the concerted efforts by Governor Sule towards addressing same, how could Nasarawa State under his headship be harbouring bandits to attack Benue or any neighbouring State as the former lawmaker wants members of the public to believe?
“The allegations by Hon Mark Gbilah is therefore a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the State and disrupt the inter-state relationship between Nasarawa and Benue States.
Ahemba said rather than the former National Assembly member, Hon. Gbilah to see himself as a stakeholder in the peace and security project, it was unfortunate that the lawmaker is igniting further crisis and causing more injury to the frigle peace in Benue.
“We call on members of the public to disregard the false narratives from the former lawmaker and instead focus on promoting unity and cooperation among communities communities of the two states”.
“We wish to use this medium to reiterate our heart-felt condolences to the Government and people of Benue and other neighbouring States over the unfortunate attacks and killing of innocent citizens in the States.
“The Nasarawa State Government remains committed to maintaining peace and security within the borders and sustaining effective collaboration with neighboring states to address the common challenges” , the statement declared.