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… Pledges support for Tinubu, Alia in 2027
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Benue APC Elders’ Forum has thrown their weight backing the actions of the Benue State House of Assembly over their approval for the removal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese saying the Assembly acted within the constitutional framework.
The elders forum who addressed a press conference in Makurdi on Saturday, said the Assembly’s action is in tandem with the law and would pave the way for investigation into Chief Judge’s alleged misconduct and abuse of office.
Speaking through their Chairman, Sen Barnabas Gemade, the forum said after a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding Ikpambese’s removal, “it is clear that the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the constitutional framework outlined in Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“We stand in solidarity with the Assembly on this decision, especially given the serious allegations that necessitated such action including mismanagement of the sum of N666,984,687.20k in less than one year and manifest abuse of office by acting outside the scope of his work as the Chief Judge evidenced in granting a waiver of Section 76 of the Benue State Electoral law duly pass by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor of Benue State amongst other grievous misconduct.”
They also commended the State Assembly for promptly sanctioning their erring members who attempted to ridicule the serious business of the house when in one breath they voted along with their colleagues for the removal of the Chief Judge and in another breath stepped outside the house chambers and immediately addressed a press conference castigating the same decision they had just supported by a more than two-thirds majority vote.
The Benue APC Elders’ Forum also responded to Sen. Abba Moro also called out the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Aba Moro, over his recent motion which calls on the National Assembly to intervene in the affairs of the Benue State House of Assembly.
Gemade, who was flanked by members of the forum including former Senator and military administrator in Katsina state, Retired Col. Joseph Akaagerger, former Senate President Ameh Ebute, General Lawrence Onoja rtd, former Executive Secretary of Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime among others, said the motion is not only misguided but also demonstrates his lack of understanding of the constitutional process.
According to him, “The constitutional provision (sections 11(4)) which mandates the National Assembly to take over the functions of the State Assembly can only be activated when the State Assembly is unable to perform its functions by reasons of a situation prevailing in the state.
“The very next Section 11(5) explicitly defines the inability of the house to perform its functions as when the house is unable to hold a meeting and transact its business.”
He argued that Benue State House of Assembly has one leadership, enjoys full quorum at all sittings and has continuously been performing its functions. There is therefore no merit in Senator Aba Moro’s invitation to meddlesomeness.”
They knocked Moro for turning a blind eye to the monumental crises affecting the River State House of Assembly where the PDP controlled State Government has chosen to recognize and deal with a three member faction of the River State House of Assembly.
They urged Sen Moro to focus on providing quality representation to his constituents rather than his
“desperate attempt to destabilize a performing APC administration in his home state.
The elders who called on all stakeholders in Benue State to prioritize unity and cooperation also urged the opposition to engage constructively rather than seeking to undermine the party’s progress.
He said “The APC Benue Elders’ Forum remains committed to supporting our state government and ensuring that Benue continues on its trajectory of development which had eluded the state in its recent past.
While expressing unwavering confidence in the state Government for improving the lives of the citizens and enhancing the overall fortunes of the state, the elders called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to remain steadfast and focused on his vision for development. They urged all detractors to refrain from ill-motivated interference that could hinder collective progress of the state.
The elders passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for maintaining faith with the Renewed Hope Agenda. They said “As we massively voted for Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and the President in 2023 general elections, Benue state is prepared to relive history come 2027.”
