Terver Gbenda: Zone C youths demand apology from Alia’s aide within 48 hours over Otukpo outing

Youths in Benue South Senatorial District, popularly known as Zone C, have condemned what they described as a divisive political outing by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Affairs, Hon. Terver Gbenda, in Otukpo.

The youths, under the Office of the National Youth Leader of the Idoma Area Traditional Council, also demanded an immediate apology and clarification from Gbenda over statements attributed to him during the outing.

In a statement signed by the National Youth Leader, Comrade Uloko Abraham, on Thursday, the group said Gbenda’s remarks were capable of undermining peace, unity and brotherhood among the people of Zone C.

The statement said the youths would not allow themselves to be used as political instruments or mobilised against their fellow Idoma sons and daughters because of political differences.

“We will not allow ourselves to be recruited, instigated or mobilized to stand against our own brothers and sisters on account of political differences,” the group said.

It urged young people in the zone to resolve political disagreements through dialogue, lawful engagement, peaceful advocacy and democratic processes.

The group also called on Gbenda to explain the intention behind his recent outing in Otukpo and clarify whether the views expressed represented his personal political position or that of the Benue State Government.

“The people of Zone C deserve clarity,” the statement said.

The youths further demanded an unreserved apology for any statement or action they considered capable of offending, provoking or dividing the people.

They stressed that their position should not be interpreted as opposition to any individual or political party, saying their concern was the development, inclusion and welfare of the people of Zone C.

The group urged youths across the nine local government areas of the zone not to allow themselves to be drawn into political confrontation.

“No political position is worth the blood of an innocent person. No political ambition is worth destroying the peace of our communities,” the statement said.

The youths gave Gbenda 48 hours from the date of the statement to apologise and provide clarification, adding that failure to do so would lead to a broad, peaceful and consultative meeting of youths and stakeholders from the nine local government areas.

They, however, stressed that any response would be peaceful, lawful and constitutional, ruling out violence, intimidation or destruction of property.

“Being peaceful does not mean being silent. We shall speak. We shall organize. We shall engage. And we shall demand accountability,” the group said.

The development follows earlier criticism of Gbenda’s Otukpo remarks by the OchetohaK’Idoma Youth Wing Worldwide, which also demanded an apology from the governor’s aide.

The latest statement urged political leaders, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and prioritise the interests of the people over partisan politics.

“Development, not division. Dialogue, not confrontation. Unity, not discord,” the group declared.