News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) elders, under the aegis of G14 and G9, have expressed concerns over actions of the Benue State House of Assembly concerning the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese and some of their members describing it as worrisome.
G14 includes elders of the PDP from the 14 Tiv speaking LGAs of the state while G9 are elders of the party from nine LGs of the Benue South Senatorial District.
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi, the elders condemned the purported removal of the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese and the suspension of 13 members of the House of Assembly advising them to return to status quo.
They said the suspended members of the Benue State House of Assembly, members many of whom are PDP members are representatives of their various constituencies and must be allowed to diligently discharge their duties as the voices and aspirations of the hundreds of thousands of the people they represent.
“Their suspension remains an anomaly and an aberration within the ambit of democratic conventions.”
They cautioned the elders of the APC for their stand on the issues and called them to embrace, support and promote peace which are necessary for societal stability.
While also responding to the verbal attack on the Senate Minority Leader, Sen Abba Moro, by the APC elders, the Chairmen of G14 and G9, Dr. Laha Dzever and Chief Elisha Amali respectively, the elders said the “unassailable position of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro are firmly rooted in the rule of law and established democratic principles” and deserves commendation.
“We implore the APC elders to note that the blessing of age, experience and eldership bestowed upon us a responsibility in words and in tone of language, to be more conciliatory than adversarial, to be more accommodating than combative and to be more measured than vituperative in speech.
“The primary concern of elders is to embrace, support and promote peace which are necessary for societal stability currently desires in our dear state, Benue. It is un-elderly to do otherwise.
“We therefore advise that those in positions of authority should act with decorum and responsibility to promote genuine development, progress and prosperity for the entire people of Benue State.”
The elders urged the APC led government of Governor Hyacinth Alia to focus on delivering good governance based on the rule of law and security of the people.
They said “We consider the attempt by the APC elders to denigrate Senator Morro as another needless wild goose chase that must be roundly condemned.
“All responsible Benue citizens must agree that the position of Senator Aba Morro, backed by the inter-party members of the Benue caucus of the national assembly is firmly rooted in the rule of law and justice.”
The group also, noted that the judiciary as a separate arm of government and a corner stone of democracy must not be diluted with politics adding that any attempt to do so threatens the very fabric of democracy.
