Benue 2023: Group Kicks Against Plot To Screen Out Popular Aspirant

By Ayodele Oni

A socio political Group in  Benue State, Benue Rebirth Organization, (BRO), has kicked against an alleged plot by some Governorship aspirants under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) to stop a co-aspirant, Arc. Joe Kyaagba, from the race.

Reports from the State indicate that the social media has been awash with result of a purported pruning down of aspirants for the 2023 PDP Governorship primary wherein, four candidates were reportedly selected by a Caucus.

According to political pundits in the State, this is to allow for an easier ride for a politician from Kunav tribe in Vandeikya Local Government Area during the party’s primary.

But BRO, in a statement on Sunday, signed by Comrade Joshua Ikyange, its spokesman, condemned the pruning down of aspirants, noting that it was a plot meant to stop eminently qualified aspirants like Kyaagba.

The Group insisted that the exercise didn’t receive the blessing and authorization of the state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, leader of the party in Zone A, Senator Gabriel Suswam, as well as the party’s State Working Committee.

The Group maintained that the exercise will jeopardize the chance of the party in next year’s general election.

The statement reads: “The masterminded results of the  Vandeikya PDP caucus towards the pruning down of governorship aspirants, if allowed by the state party machinery, paints a very poor credibility for the party.

“Such sponsored mischief to discontenance credible PDP aspirants in an undemocratic and non transperent approach that throws up poor leadership   will only shoot the PDP in the foot as the public is watching anxiously for the quality of emerging party candidates to decide direction of voting.

”From the round of consultations being made by aspirants across the state, the pedigree, performance antecedents and blue prints presented by Arc Joe Kyaagba and Dr Paul Angya, give much hope to the Benue electorate and PDP stakeholders.

“The gang up by some people to force the exit of Joe Kyaagba from the Ortom government, was obviously a calculated attempt at frustrating his interest in 2023 Governorship.

“This is yet another miscalculated attempt at casting doubts about his popularity. The attempted muscling of Joe Kyaagba known to all in the state as an astute stricker for the party with very high ratings across the state, will cast a low morale among the electorate.

“The more the efforts at preventing the PDP from putting its best forward, while the APC is tinkering with the likes of Prof. Terhemba Shija and the renowned Catholic priest, Fr Hyacinth Alia, the ruling party in Benue State is unwittingly itching for its death.

“Are they afraid of Joe Kyaagba or what? Joe Kyaagba is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA), a member of the national institute (mni), and a member of the Catholic order of the Knights of St Mulumba (KSM).

“A former Benue State  Commissioner of works and Housing;  Former Special Duties Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom; a doctoral student in security and strategic studies who successfully executed the Benue Amnesty program between 2015-2016 under Gov Ortom’s first tenure.”