Gov Alia absent as Benue community celebrates Utsev in Abuja

Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, was absent during a reception in honour of the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utseve.

The reception took place after his swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.

However, secretary to government of the federation (SGF), Sen George Akume; immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom; Ochi’doma, HRM, Agaba-Idu; Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, and the Tor Tiv, HRM, Orchivirigh Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, represented by the Ter Gwer, Chief Dominic Akpe, graced the occasion.

Also present were the Senator representing Benue North West, Sen Titus Zam, and members of the National Assembly from the state.

Also, second republic Senator, Chief Jacob Tilley Gyado; Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Aonodona Dajoh, represented by his wife, Cynthia; the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Austin Agada, among other graced the reception.

In his remarks, Sen Akume, who was represented by his wife and the member representing Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, Hon Regina, disclosed that her husband, who is a compassionate man, has forgiven former Governor Ortom despite all that happened in the past eight years.