Stakeholders in Benue state have continued to condemn what they called “a shameful and disgraceful outing” put up by the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State, Sen. George Akume which resulted to the destruction of campaign materials belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Makurdi.
Recall that few days after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, in which he lost his North West senatorial seat, Akume led hundreds of APC supporters to celebrate President Mohammadu Buhari’s victory.
Akume, during the outing round Makurdi town, mounted his open roofed car from where he hailed and acknowledged cheers from supporters who flanked him while destroying party properties as they went.
The winner of the House of Representatives for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency, Richard Gbande who has also joined in condemning the destruction described the act as “a noise from a fallen Iroko.”
Gbande who spoke to the Next Edition in his Makurdi residence said, “Such things are not abnormal because when an Iroko falls, it behoves on it to make that kind of noise.”
Gbande said for a person of Senator Akume’s status to fail an election in his senatorial zone should call for some certain reactions “but it is good that the security agencies have curbed the level of violence.
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He however condemned the wanton destruction that went with it saying “anything that is illegal should be condemned. As a politician, you are not yourself until your people say you should be and if my people say I should rest, having served in various capacities, I will not make noise.
“If you are representing your people well, they will stand by you and where you are not and through the ballot, your people say you should rest and you are murmuring and creating chaos, I say it is desperation,” he added.
He called on all politicians to avoid politics of bitterness and accept the will of the people at all times.
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom had earlier described the act as shameful and disgraceful and capable of tearing the state apart.
Ortom had wondered why a high profile individual like Akume should supervise the destruction of PDP billboards and posters because he lost election urging him to be magnanimous in defeat, maintaining that he ought to be grateful to God and Benue people for having served them as Governor for eight years and senator 12 years.
Meanwhile, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Bemgba Iortyom who described Akume’s actions as sad and worrisome has called on the security agencies to arrest and question senator George Akume.
Mr Iortyom said if Akume was not called to order, he may cause more chaos in the state before the governorship and state assembly elections.
