Coalition Warns Against Attacks On Benue Deputy Speaker, Others

By Mimidoo Patrick

Worried by the incessant attacks on the Deputy Speaker of Benue State, personalities of Benue, Hon. Lamin Danladi Lawrence and other prominent personalities in the state, a coalition of Zone C Youths have warned the perpetrators to desist from such act or face its wrath.

The group gave the warning while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

They described the attacks on personalities of Benue South extraction as the activities of sponsored groups with the target to malign and ridicule their person and offices.

Speaking on behalf of the group, President of Ochetoha K’Idoma Youth Wing, Comrade Gideon Obande, noted that a House divided against itself cannot stand making it sacrosanct that driving the maximum benefits of democracy to the Benue South will be nearly impossible without team work.

Obande said: “It has come to our knowledge in recent times that the personality cum office of the Benue State Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Lamin Danladi Lawrence is conspicuously in the news for blackmails and same being sponsored by unscrupulous person(s), particularly from her own Local Government of Ado; who out of political ignorance about this historic position vested on one of our daughters, a Girl Child turned Woman from amongst the larger female folks of our Zone, have generated political tension.

“It is sad that individuals cum groups have arrogated to themselves powers undue them by continuously meddling with an issue before the Court of competent jurisdiction; an act considered to be unruly and absurd.

“We the Coalition of Zone C Youths, have thought it very necessary to issue this stern caution in a bid to deter these elements of ‘Pull Down Syndrome’, whether they be political office holders from Ado LGA and Zone C in general; whether they are politically motivated or not, to desist forthwith or face the reaction from the masses!

“We acknowledge and know that the Deputy Speaker, possesses requisite qualifications, capacity and charisma which is responsible for her current status as Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly; we therefore pass a 100% Vote of Confidence on Rt Hon Lami Danladi Lawrence.”

The coalition while restating their resolve to protect the interest of the entire Zone C, acknowledged that her Office was not only for Ado People, but the entire State, a point for which they called on the Ado people in particular, to know that through one of their Daughters, God has made history for the people of Zone C.

The group said: “Therefore, on behalf of the determined Youths of the Zone for which we represent, we advise and caution all those creating political animosities and sponsoring tension to desist from such and rather synergize with her and other office holders for the development of Zone C and the entire Benue State.

“We have taken time to study the antecedents of blackmailers, who even in time past blackmailed the present Secretary to the Government of the Federation-SGF of having no certificate nor qualifications to be Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; we are also aware that despite being political office holder(s), blackmailing people of, and with different political views from their selfish perceptions and assumptions have not ceased.

“The stereotype, stigmatization and attempt to dehumanize the Female Folks and tag them as inferior humans in various blackmails are obsolete in this 21st century.

“Elections are over, governance for growth and development of our land should thrive under serene Political atmosphere of oneness as disenchanted persons have the Court to attend to their yearnings.”

The group noted that the Office of the Deputy Speaker was for the entire Benue State and not a Political Party nor Ado LGA’s Affairs, and by virtue of her Office, she was now the number 4th citizen of the State which makes her Leader of Ado LGA.

The coalition which is made up of reputable and renowned Civil Society chiefs and Rights activists from Benue South Senatorial district noted that the need for cohesion across political party and other lines of cohesion cannot be overemphasized as it is time for governance.