TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • APC primaries: Supreme Court dismisses Prof. Shija’s appeal

    APC primaries: Supreme Court dismisses Prof. Shija’s appeal

    The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by Prof. Terhemba Shija against the May 27, 2022 primary election that produced Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia for being statute barred.

    Justice Inyang Okoro who led a five-member panel of Justices of the Apex Court in a brief ruling dismissed the appeal following its withdrawal by the appellant.

    The APC drew the attention of the Court to a letter of Professor Shija through his counsel Mr Kenneth Ikonne in which he complained against an event of May 26 and 27 and dissociated himself from it.

    Although, Ikonne insisted that the cause of action arose on May 28,  when the results of the primary election was announced, the content of his letter was used against him that he became aware of the cause of action on May 26 and ought to have instituted the suit within 14 days stipulated by section 285 of 1999 Constitution.

    In the end, it was agreed that the suit was filed outside 14 days allowed by law and was subsequently dismissed by a unanimous decision of the Justices.

  • 2023 Elections: Return to us – Iyiorchia Ayu begs Ortom

    2023 Elections: Return to us – Iyiorchia Ayu begs Ortom

    The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), National Chairman,  Iyorchia Ayu has appealed to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to join the party’s campaign train.

    Ayu made this appeal in Benue state during the campaign rally of the PDP presidential candidate in the state.

    Ayu said Ortom joining PDP would guarantee the party’s victory during the presidential election.

    Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Benue State, Ayu said: “I am appealing to my younger brother, Gov. Ortom to come back and join us so that we will fight to rescue Nigeria.

    “Gov. Ortom has nowhere to go, his only house is the PDP and anytime that he comes, we shall be more than happy to receive him and all the PDP governors.”

    Recall that Ortom has been aggrieved with the party’s leadership since the PDP presidential primaries in 2022.

    He is part of a group known as the Integrity Group, agitating for fairness, equity and justice.

    Ortom is part of the G-5 governors who have distanced themselves from the camp of the party’s presidential candidate.

    The Integrity Group, led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, have been agitating for a change of the PDP National Chairman.

    They stressed that a Southerner should occupy the position of the National Chairman because the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hails from the North.

    Up till now the G-5 governors have not endorsed any presidential candidate few weeks to the general elections in the country.

  • Pandemonium as bandits behead 2, wipe out family of 6 in Benue

    Pandemonium as bandits behead 2, wipe out family of 6 in Benue

    Gunmen killed at least 8 persons in a repeated attack on Thursday 19 January 2023 at about 2100hrs in Abagana community opposite the Internally Displaced Person camp routed along Makurdi/Laafia lane, Benue State.

    Information available indicates that the attack took the life of a family of six, and another two persons were beheaded.

    An eyewitness told newsmen that eight other persons were seriously injured and were evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

    “Some of the victims were beheaded and their heads taken away. The bushes are still being combed in search of more victims.

    “A man, his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack.

    “The casualty figure may likely rise as three other persons were fatally shot and may not survive the injuries to their chests,’’ the eyewitness said.

    When contacted, the police spokesman in Benue, SP Sewuese Anene confirmed the attack, adding that the casualty figure has yet to be ascertained.

    Anene said the police had deployed personnel to the scene to forestall further attacks.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Abagana is a sprawling community in Makurdi, the State capital of Benue, along Makurdi-Abuja road, housing thousands of people displaced from their ancestral lands and are living in the IDP camp set up by the State Government.

    “The bandits did not even come with herds of cattle. They were armed to the teeth. So far, eight corpses including women and children have been recovered while several others seriously injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment.

    “Some of the bodies were beheaded and their heads taken away by the bandits.,” Nathaniel Ikyur, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed in a statement.

    Special Adviser on Security Mattters to the Benue State Governor, Lt. Col Paul Hemba, rtd who confirmed this said security personnel and other villagers have been combing the bushes for more victims who were said to have been shot by the invaders.

    He said the attack was unprovoked as the villagers were already set to go to bed when they met their untimely deaths in the hands of the Fulani bandits.

    According to the Security Adviser, the casualty figure may likely rise as some other persons who were fatally shot and wounded may not survive the injuries in their chest.

    The Security Adviser gave the names of those killed as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajoh, Emberga Gbashaor and Donald Gbashaor.

    He further disclosed that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.

  • Another Catholic Priest abducted by gunmen in Benue

    Another Catholic Priest abducted by gunmen in Benue

     

    Another Catholic Priest and Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

    The cleric was kidnapped on Thursday evening along Okpoga – Ojapo road along the Okpoga – Utonkon road

    The abduction of the Priest on that axis of the state which has become notorious for the kidnap of commuters came about five months after another Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu was in a similar fashion waylaid and taken away and later released by armed men along Otukpo – Ugbokolo road while on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga in the same Okpokwu LGA.

    The latest incident was confirmed Thursday night by the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in a letter from the Diocesan Secretariat addressed to all Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi.

    The letter read in part, “We write to notify you of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu. He is the Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga. The sad incident occurred today December 22, 2022 at about 5pm along Okpoga – Ojapo Road, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State.

    “The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.

    “We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident in a text massage said “the command is on the trail of the priest and hoodlums involved.”

  • 2023: G-5 governor, Ortom reveals who Nigerians should vote for

    2023: G-5 governor, Ortom reveals who Nigerians should vote for

    One of the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Samuel Ortom of Benue State has charged the people of the country to vote wisely during the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    He urged the people to identify party candidates who have the prospects of helping the country before casting their votes in the coming elections.

    The Benue-born politician made this comment during the signing of the N179.5 billion 2023 appropriation bill into law at the Government House, Makurdi on Thursday.

    Ortom said the election should not be based on political parties but on the ability of the candidates to perform if elected.

    “Though 2023 is pregnant and loaded, we hope that God will see us through all the challenges we are facing.

    “A lot of us are expecting a turnaround, rebranding and refocusing. We as humans have tried but we hope that God himself will rescue us and give us peace, hope and all that will make the coming year enjoyable.

    “Come 2023, let us work hard and vote according to the election and not according to the party.

    “We must know those people who have prospects to help us and the country. Let us be truthful when we sit to consider this and may God direct us”.

    Recall that Ortom, Rivers State Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and Okezie Victor Ikpeazu of Abia are all members of the G5 who are against the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku, Abubakar.

  • Naira Design: See Rotten bundles of naira notes dumped by riverside in Benue [Photos]

    Naira Design: See Rotten bundles of naira notes dumped by riverside in Benue [Photos]

    Apparently the naira new design must have led to the dumping of bundles of naira notes by the side of a river in Benue State.

    Residents of Benue in Wadata area woke up to see these rotten bundles of naira notes in billions all dumped by the river side.

    The rotten money in billions was loaded in sacks and dumped by the riverside in the Wadata area of the state.

    Meanwhile, the police and EFCC officials have visited the place.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) last month reported that a truck load of mutilated and decaying notes being conveyed to unknown destination.

  • Oil no longer sufficient to feed Nigeria’s growing population – Obasanjo

    Oil no longer sufficient to feed Nigeria’s growing population – Obasanjo

    Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the oil and gas sector can no longer feed the growing population of Nigerians.

    Obasanjo spoke at the weekend when the leadership of the apex socio-cultural group in Tiv land of Benue State, Mzough U Tiv (MUT) paid him appreciation and friendship visit at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    According to him, only farming and agribusiness could tackle the nation’s growing population.

    Obasanjo called on people to focus on farming and agribusiness as an alternative to Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.

    “If Nigeria is ready to get it right, the 2023 election should be a turning point. We should not go for emotion that will destroy us,” Obasanjo, who was conferred with the title of a “Great Warrior” of Tiv land by the socio-political group, said.

    Earlier, the President-General of the Tiv body, Chief Iorbee Ihagh demanded the former president’s intervention on the need for the establishment of a fruit juice industry in Benue State, agitation for inclusive national politics, herder’s attack on Tiv land and the power sharing formula.

  • Unknown gunmen abducts Benue state Commissioner, 3 others

    Unknown gunmen abducts Benue state Commissioner, 3 others

    The Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Ekpe Ogbu, alongside Honourable Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws and the driver were abducted on Sunday night by unknown gunmen in Benue state.

    It was reported that the incident took place along David Marks Farm, after Akpa Otobi while on their way from Otukpo to Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area of Benue state.

    The commissioner was said to have attended a Church programme, where Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial district, dedicated his newly inaugurated Campaign Council to God at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo and was going to his village in NDEKMA, Utonkon District of Ado LGA after the Church programme when the gunmen who laid an ambush struck and whisked them away.

    The state police have since recovered his official vehicle and deposited it at the Divisional Police office in Otukpo.

    Efforts are currently being made to rescue the victims unhurt.

  • David Mark buries son amidst tears in Otukpo

    David Mark buries son amidst tears in Otukpo

    The remains of Tunde Mark, son of the former President of the Senate, David Mark, has been laid to rest in his home town Otukpo, Benue amidst tears.

    Tunde who died on Oct. 21, 2022 in a London hospital at the age of 51,  had battled with cancer for over a year.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Paul Mumeh, Special Adviser on Media to Mark on Saturday in Minna.

    Mumeh said that the burial rites began on Nov. 9, with Service of Songs held in Abuja.

    He added that Tunde’s body was accompanied by family and friends to Otukpo for a wake  on Thursday, Nov. 10 and committed to mother earth on Friday, Nov.11.

    He said that personalities that attended the burial included Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, his deputy, Benson Abonu, Senate minority leader, Sen. Philip Aduda and Sen.  Abba Moro.

    Others are former senator representing Nasarawa South, Sen. Suleman Adokwe, former governor of Kogi, Idris Wada, Lekan Mustapha,  Bishop Michael Apochi of Otukpo Catholic diocese,  Rev Innocent Jooji, among.

    Many of the attendees described late Tunde as humble and  intellectual with analytical skills, who discussed to no end on virtually all subjects.

    According to the statement, Most Rev. Fr. Sylvester Onmonke, during the sermon encouraged the family to have faith in God as only Him holds the power to give and take live.

    Onmoke urged the parents, family and friends not to lose hope, pointing out that even though, Tunde died in his prime, he left a legacy of selfless service to humanity.

    The former Senate President’s tribute to his late son was read by Tunde’s younger brother, David Mark Jnr and Hon. Blessing Onyeche- Onuh, member, Federal House of Representatives representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency.

    Amidst tears, Tunde’s remains were lowered into the grave at the family compound in Otukpo.

    He is survived by his wife, Natsu,  daughter Audrey ,  parents, brothers and sisters.

  • 2023: You are free to support any candidate of your choice – Atiku replies Ortom

    2023: You are free to support any candidate of your choice – Atiku replies Ortom

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has replied Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom.

    The Waziri of Adamawa noted that it’s uncivil for Ortom to blame him for the armed Fulani attacks on the people of Benue State.

    However, Atiku said that Benue state is his home.

    Recall that Ortom had vowed never to support Atiku’s presidential ambition or any other Fulani man due to the incessant killings in Benue State.

    Ortom said  “hell with Atiku,” the governor said he couldn’t support a Fulani man due to herders’ attacks on residents of the state.

    In his reaction. Atiku said the governor is entitled to support any candidate of his choice in 2023.

    He spoke through the spokesperson of his presidential campaign team, Dino Melaye.

    Dino Melaye made this known while featuring on Arise TV political Programme.

    Appearing on Arise TV, Melaye said: “Ortom is entitled by right to support whichever candidate he wants; it’s not proper to place the blame of what is happening in Benue on Atiku; it is not fair. During the Shagari administration, he appointed four Benue indigenes as ministers, also the late Yar’Adua appointed a Benue indigene as AGF. These two presidents are Fulani by ethnicity, yet they appointed Benue citizens.”

    “It’s uncivil to blame Fulani activities on Atiku, this is not right and not proper.”

    He added “In February this year, Atiku donated N50 million to IDPs; he shows love to the people of the state. Benue is a second home to Atiku.”