Benue South 2019: George Akume imposing Steven Lawani on Idoma people as senator – Group cries out

A coalition of civil society group comprising over 18 bodies, under the aegis of Congress of Idoma Political Forum, CIPF, has raised the alarm on the alleged plots by former governor of Benue State, George Akume to impose the ex-deputy governor of the state, Steve Lawani, 70 on the people of Zone C as senator in 2019.

The group warned Akume to concentrate on his senatorial district and stop meddling into Benue South politics.

The group made this claim shortly after a meeting held in Makurdi where Akume reportedly threw his weight behind Lawani’s senatorial ambition.

Akume during the meeting reportedly called on other aspirants from Benue South on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to back down for Lawani.

The current senator representing Benue North West was quoted as telling other aspirants, who attended the meeting in his Makurdi home as saying that only Lawani could match other candidates from the PDP.

At the moment, four persons have indicated interest in David Mark’s seat on the platform of the opposition party in Benue South.

Among the contenders are: Lawani, Chief Mike Onoja, Hassan Saleh and Samuel Ankeli.

In PDP, only Comrade Abba Moro and Joseph Ojobo have indicated interest.

Speaking on Akume’s purported endorsement of Lawani, CIPF in a statement by its general secretary, Gabriel Aleichenu Adams, warned the ex-governor to stop creating disaffections among Idoma people.

According to him, “We write to condemn the endorsement of Steven Lawani as the next senator of representing Benue South by George Akume.

“Akume is here again after the good people of Benue Zone C stopped him from hijacking our political stool in 2016. He is here again with his gimmicks.

“We want to warn him to steer clear Benue South politics. Akume should stop creating disaffections between Idoma people. He should concentrate on his district and stop meddling into Zone C politics.

“The last time we checked, Akume had not roots from Idoma land or Igede; and as such, he cannot dictate who leads the people.

“If his people have rejected him, he should retire from politics and concentrate on his family.

“We call on Akume to allow the people of Benue South decide who represents them in the Red Chamber comes 2019. Akume should stop looking at the speck of sawdust another man’s eye and pay attention to the plank in his own eye before he goes blind.”