Herdsmen: Iyorchia Ayu, Phillip Tachin bomb Akume over statement on Benue crisis

Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, a former Senate President has bomb the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator George Akume for saying that the Benue State Government and not armed Fulani herdsmen are responsible for the killings in the state.

Ayu described the statement made by the former Governor of the state as “unfortunate, irresponsible and embarrassing” considering the position he occupies in the society.

The former Senate President spoke during a reception organized by Jima Ya community of Ipav in honour of the Executive Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mr. Terzungwe Atser at Akaajime in Gboko area of the state.

He lamented that such comment was coming from Akume, who as the Senate Committee Chairman on Army has “failed woefully to prevail on the federal government to end the killing of hundreds of innocent people in the state only to make such a spurious allegation.”

Ayu, however, vowed that he would continue to support the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who has courageously stood firm in defence of human lives and property.

“It is high time the people of Benue speak with one voice against those who want to cause disaffection between them and the government of governor Samuel Ortom”, Ayu stated.

Also reacting to Akume’s allegation, Secretary to the Benue State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor SAN, condemned the utterance and urged the people to be vigilant.

Ijohor urged people of the state to resist at any level the Senator’s antics which he said had characterised his recent public outings both in the state and at the national level.

“It is unthinkable for a man like Akume who is from Benue to go public to allege that the Benue State Government is responsible for the killing of its people.

“The implication of his unfortunate outing in Abuja is that we have a big problem on our hands. They are now changing the narrative to blame the victim,” Ijohor stressed.

Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Philip Tachin urged people of the state to stand firm in their support of Governor Ortom’s re-election.

He described Senator Akume’s comment as shameful.

Tachin said it was shocking that a “Benue son would opt to take sides with enemies of the state against his people.”

He charged the people to “Stand behind Governor Ortom” because the governor has “remained resilient and undaunted to ensure our land and destiny is preserved”.