Stop political hate in Benue to save our future – Group warns

BENUE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTEGRITY GROUP “BYPIG”

A press statement made on the day 20th August 2021 by the Benue Young Professionals Integrity Group BYPIG

1. The Benue Young Professionals Integrity Group BYPIG is a Conglomerate of young professionals drawn from the different tribes and ethnic groups which make up the geographical space Called Benue State. We are on a mission to impact our communities positively as a generation of young professionals embedded with the qualities of excellence, Integrity and Patriotism. We have a commitment to bring about the change we desire in our community, to create a society that is free of corruption, relegation of Youth’s as political thugs, social injustice, Inequality, oppression, ethnic divide, and underdevelopment.

2. As young professionals in our various fields of endeavours with national and international reach, it has always been our goal to make a positive change in Benue State, which we see as home like no other. We believe that people should have as many options to quality governance, equity and fair play laced with an ambiance of Integrity at all times and that is the motivation behind our press conference today 20th August 2021 which will focus on the present level of political imbalance, tribal and ethnic hate in our dear state Benue State, which is threatening our development as a people now and in the nearest foreseen future.

3. Benue state was created 46 years ago. The great JS Tarka known for minority rights approached one of the most experienced technocrats in Benue then, Chief Edwin Ogbu(an Idoma man) to prepare to superintend over the young state, but Chief Ogbu declined on the ground of age. That was what led to the emergence of Aper Aku as the first Executive Governor of Benue  State.

4. Aper Aku,  a great visionary set a standard of good governance and laid great foundations for the development of Benue State. These great men who were detribalized set a pace for Justice, equity and fair play.

5. However, immediately after their demise , those that took over the reigns of political power,  delved into political bitterness and orchestrated tribal dimensions and arrogated  demographic advantages as yardstick for power sharing.  Subsequently, the smaller tribes Idoma, Igede, Etulo,  jukun, and other smaller groups gradually started loosing relevance in political participation and strategic power sharing.

6. This divisive tactics by the “big brother syndrome” reared its ugly heads in  tertiary institutions in Benue State with the “big brother” taking almost everything.  This ugly beast reared its ugly presence even in the body politics of the students bodies,  that population is might. Psyche that has been planted in all institutions,  agencies of government,  relishes morden day slavery because of “big brother”. A situation that has gone so bad, that even a minor thing such as a class course rep always evade students from Zone C and other smaller tribes all because of the big brother syndrome.

7. The confusion and cries created by the released list of FUHSO has brought up the ugliness that is in  Benue politics.  The youth can no longer stand and look while our common heritage is being gradually decimated in this macabre of tribal fight that ultimately will destroy our future  and the future of unborn generation.

8. We  say NO to Tribalism,  we say No ,to uneven distribution of political power sharing,  we say no to politics of divide and rule, we say put an end to “big brother syndrome”.

9. Hence we align with the sound philosophies of Benue Rebirth Movement(BRM) which emphasizes on  Justice, equity and fairplay.  That philosophy that brings all Royals together,  talking of appeasement and reconciliation amongst constituents tribes of the state. We align with the leadership of the Movement whom seeks to unify the entire Benue State  for equal participation,  no matter your tribe and preaching no discrimination who so ever you are as long as you live peacefully with your neighbors.

10. We believe in rotational power sharing in all aspects of our corporate  sociopolitical, economic engagement,  be it government,  tertiary institutions,  civil service, okada union etc…

11. We are here  to clamour for the end  to the politics of bitterness, segregation, nepotism, clanishism and want to appeal to all Benue youth,  that we MUST take the future of a REBIRTH BENUE STATE in our hands.

12. We salute the leadership and courage of the BENUE REBIRTH MOVEMENT (BRM) led by AVM Monday Morgan (Rtd) whom has developed a STRATEGIC ROADMAP that seeks to address most fundamental malaise within and also espouse twelve objectives that could be the pivot of a rolling plan that can  revitalize and energize a new consciousness of engagement that can bring about fundamental sociopolitical changes for brotherly love and unity.

13. Consequently, this are  essential tools  that could catalyse a robust and rapid  socioeconomic growth and development of Benue State.

14. Finally, we want to salute AVM Monday Morgan (Rtd) led BRM whom have categorically waded into this FUSHO imbroglio and made a unambiguous statement that such an imbalance can never be allowed again and a process of retooling this imbalance  be kick started across board. We also want to call on the management of FUHSO to please listen to the words of wisdom and put in mechanisms to correct and carry all along when other positions are to be considered.

15. Our profound gratitude goes to the ever gallant and passionate youth of Zones A and B and C whom have stood as ONE in this struggle for ONE AND EQUAL BENUE, and  the elites whom have been the pivot of thoughts galvanization, cross fertilization of ideas as a precursor to acheiving the objective of a New Benue State where Equity, Justice and Fairness in all facets of human endeavor reigns.
We hope and pray that Benue State will be a better and more developed state with men and women of integrity with the capacity to always do the right thing in tune with the development of the State, inclusion of Youths in governance and  State building at the helms of affairs.

God bless BYPIG
God Bless Benue State
God bless Nigeria
God bless Africa.

Signed: Comr Martins Kpamber _ Convener (Vandekiya LG)

Rt Comr John Acha_ Secretary (Otukpo LG)

Comr Clement Arubi _ Legal Advisor (Obi LG)