Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The crisis within the Benue State chapter of All Progressive Congress may be far from resolution as two gladiators within the party who are also core supporters of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator George Akume have decided to take the internal battle to the Social Media.
While Dr. Titus Zam is the senator representing Benue Northwest Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, Dr. Terhemen Tarzoor is the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia.
Just yesterday, Tarzoor who is believed to have secured his Ambassadorial slot through the help and influence of Senator George Akume dumped the political camp of the SGF and aligned with the camp of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Tarzoor who lost the 2015 governorship election to Chief Samuel Ortom, PhD as a result of his low popularity said that he decided to identify with the administration of Father Hyacinth Alia as a result of the achievements he has recorded since he became governor in 2023.
Meanwhile, political allies of Senator George Akume termed Tarzoor’s action as an act of betrayal despite the benevolence of the SGF towards him.
While Akume’s associates see what Tarzoor did as an act of betrayal, loyalists of Governor Hyacinth Alia said that the former Ambassador has done the right thing after realizing that the governor is performing excellently well.
In his reaction which he personally posted on his verified Facebook Page, Senator Titus Zam who has been generally described by the people of Benue Northwest as a low performing senator with nothing to show for his over two years representation at the Senate accused the former Ambassador of working for his stomach and not for the people of Benue State.
Saying that yesterday’s endorsement didn’t represent what Tarzoor told him about the administration of Father Hyacinth Alia when they met in Abuja few days ago, Senator Titus Zam stated that the former envoy may be suffering from mental depression.
Senator Zam wrote below:
For quite some time, I have watched the ex pdp Guber candidate look distressed, I have severally tried to find out from him what’s eating him up, but he wouldn’t tell me. However, I suspect that the Namibian food he ate might not be too good for his system.
I have noticed the physical changes on his body, his once elegant looks dropped, the cream that radiated his face no longer working, the oily dark hair he loved to keep turning brown and his youthful looks vanished, then I concluded that my younger brother is troubled.
A few days ago, we met in Abuja at a joint. We shared some bottles of understanding and as politicians the misrule in Benue state was our topic of discussion.
His Excellency Tarzoor didn’t spare Governor Alia for failing in all sectors of leadership. We discussed the huge revenue coming into Benue from the federation account visa-a-vis the scanty quantum of infrastructure development in the state. It was Dr Tarzoor who alerted me that as big as the sum of 4 billion naira donated by various groups and individuals for the upkeep and resettlement of our displaced Ihyarev people has remained unaccounted for, while our people remain in the camps under very embarrassing material conditions.
When I saw the photos and videos of Dr Tarzoor eulogising Gov Alia for his sterling performance in Benue state, I tried to put a call over to him to find out which part of Nigeria he was speaking from but Dr Tarzoor didn’t pick.
The long and short of my piece is to commend Tarzoor for his 180 degrees turn around within barely two weeks. I wish him well in his new home. What he has done is not new in politics especially among people without self-esteem. I pray Gov Alia gives him what Ex Governor Suswam couldn’t give him, what Sen George Akume couldn’t afford for him.
In his swift reaction, Dr Tarzoor said Senator Zam’s outburst cannot be unconnected to his hatred for the state governor.
According to Tarzoor, the senator was heavily drunk the day he claimed they both met at a beer joint in Abuja where they discussed the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Tarzoor in his words stated that Senator Zam was heavily drunk before they started their conversation, adding that his actions were unstable throughout their situation out.
Furthermore, Tarzoor stated that Senator Zam’s record at the Senate is begging for help, urging him to face that aspect rather than using his time to attack the State governor.
Tarzoor wrote below:
I have observed with mild amusement the recent comments made by my brother, Sen Dr Titus T. Zam. It appears that the Senator may have momentarily forgotten that I have always been an advocate of constructive dialogue, NOT a merchant of discord.
Ordinarily, I would have ignored such remarks, as they fall short of the civility expected in our public discourse. However, in the interest of clarity and truth, it is only fair to address a few of his points.
When I met Senator Zam not long ago, he came rather drunk already. His emotions were visibly unsettled, and his thoughts, somewhat scattered. I sensed he carried certain concerns but he seemed reluctant to express them candidly. His composure was visibly off balance — the sort one observes when a man wrestles more with his emotions than his reason. It was clear he had certain burdens on his chest. The sort of worries that photographs do not capture.
Frankly, I am taken aback that a man who is expected to be honourable would choose to embellish the truth with such creative lies, all in pursuit of a trivial political jab. More so, it is puzzling that someone who is a stakeholder in our national security responsibilities would find greater comfort in offering unsolicited counsel to a sitting governor, while his own report card begs for improvement.
Perhaps, it would serve the good Senator better to channel his energy toward what truly matters — development, progress, and the wellbeing of our people. After all, governance is not about liking somebody’s face; it’s about engaging with the facts. In this case, the facts regarding Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s policies are expected to be exactly what he ought to engage with. At least, that’s what a Ph.D degree that the senator purportedly holds, would teach anyone.
I am fully aware of my place and responsibilities, both locally and internationally, and I would prefer not to condescend too low to engage on the same level as this Senator – my elder brother!