Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Benue Intelligence Watch has raised an alarm over plans by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to use the paramount ruler of Tiv, Professor James Ayatse to speak with President Bola Tinubu in order to alter the list of the Benue APC National Assembly candidates that were elected during the last direct primaries.
The advocacy group in a press statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade John Terkura said that on the order of the SGF, the National Chairman of the ruling party, Professor Nentawe Yilwadta and the member representing Makurdi/Guma at that House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dickson Tarkigir arrived the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko today to speak with him to prevail over president Bola Tinubu to give return tickets to serving members of the National Assembly from the state.
According to the group, both Professor Nentawe Yilwadta and Dickson Tarkigir who flew into Benue State in a Private Jet this afternoon were driven straight to Gboko with two SUVs and some police escorts.
The group stated that discussion is ongoing in Gboko right now on how to prevail on the Tor Tiv to meet President Bola Tinubu so that the serving National Assembly members from the state can be given automatic tickets even through they didn’t win at the last primaries of the ruling party.
The group wondered what could have brought Professor Nentawe Yilwadta and Dickson Tarkigir together after a long battle between them if not to alter the will of Benue people who have chosen those to fly the flag of the party in the next general elections.
The group continued that altering the list could jeopardize the chance of the party at the next election .
“Politics is local and it’s the local people that do vote at all elections. They have decided not to support those National Assembly members who have disconnected with them and that is why they chose the candidates of their choice.
“And any attempt to manipulate their will will force them not to vote for the ruling party at the next general elections”