BENUE: Defend yourselves, Unongo charges, as elders demand breakaway from North

Paul Unongo, who recently resigned as the chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on the people of Benue State to defend themselves and never again allow herdsmen slaughter them like chickens.

He stated this during a Benue stakeholders meeting held at the state Government House, Makurdi, where the people also canvassed that the state should withdraw its political alignment with the North.

Those at the stakeholders meeting included serving and former elected leaders, elder statesmen and leaders of ethnic nationalities in the state.

Unongo whose resignation as NEF chairman is believed to have been as a result of killings in Benue by suspected Fulani herdsmen, had during the mass burial of the victims vowed that the state will raise a million-man army to defend itself should the Federal Government continue to fail to defend the people.

Speaking again during the stakeholders meeting, he said “I am urging you because I know that under the UN chatter, if your government fails to protect you, you can protect yourself; it is no crime. Our people should, therefore organise themselves around the traditional rulership to defend yourselves.

“And I also state categorical on our alliance with the North, that if in time of need your own friend is not going to help you, you are under bounds to make new friendship that will be mutually beneficial.”

He further maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari should come to the state to condole with the people, adding that “it was for this reason that I refused to be part of the delegation to the President.”

In his speech, Chief Ode Enyi, President-General of Omi ‘Yi Igede said, “We have given the state government ultimatum to pull out of the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council if the killings in Benue persisted and after issuing that ultimatum the killings are continuing. So, the wishes of the people must be obeyed.”

Also, a member of the House of Representatives for Gboko Federal constituency, Mr. John Dyegh, speaking, said that there was need for the people to revive the Middle Belt Forum, the platform through which the likes of legendary late Joseph Tarka propagated the interest of the people of the state and middle belt.

The state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Rev. Akpen Leva, condemned Northern Governors’ Forum visit to the state three weeks after the killings.

READ ALSO: Danger looms as N’Delta agitators meet, back Avengers’ plan to resume bombing

“The church is disappointed in that visit because it was more of a mockery. We will continue to demand justice over the unprovoked murder of our children, pregnant women and the elderly,” he said.

The state governor, Samuel Ortom had earlier in his welcome address said, “Because of the crisis, we are now faced with over 80,000 internally displaced persons, IDPs, in camps located at Daudu, Gbajimba, Utsav, Anyiin and Ugba.

“Let us continue to be firm. Let us continue to be law-abiding and not take the law into our hands or embark on reprisals. What we see happening now is deliberate. They want us to be angry and do their desire but we are not going to do their bidding.

“No matter the intimidation, blackmail and name-calling there is no going back on the Benue grazing law because it is for the good of all, herdsmen and farmers alike.”

 

 

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now