Benue Assembly Grills Council Boss Over Assault On Member

From Austine Tule, Makurdi

The Benue State House Assembly has condemned the physical assault on one of their members, Mr Abbas Akoso (Ushongo/PDP) by the Caretaker Chairman of Ushongo Local Government Area (LGA), Benue, Mr Bemsen Agugu.

The house made the condemnation during plenary in Makurdi when they invited the caretaker chairman to explain what transpired between him and Akoso.

During the interface, the Majority Leader, Mr Damian Cheme asked the caretaker chairman the following question: “can you please explain the circumstances that led you to physically assault the Honourable Member representing Ushongo Constituency in the Ninth Assembly, Mr Abbas Akoso”?

Responding, Agugu said that they had disagreement over council wards primaries particularly election of councillors.

He, however, apologised, stating that he regretted the altercation he had with Akoso.

Agugu pledged that such an ugly behaviour would not be heard of him again.

Reacting, Mr Bem Mngutyo (Tarka/APC) said that Agugu displayed arrogance even in the chamber, stressing that he did not bow when he entered the chamber.

Mngutyo said that the behaviour exhibited by Agugu would not be condoned at all the house.

Meanwhile, Mr William Ortyom (Guma/PDP), said that the assault of Akoso by Agugu means an assault on all the 30 members of the assembly and the over 400, 000 people that voted them.

Ortyom said that the irresponsible behaviour exhibited by Agugu was unacceptable.

Also, Akoso, the member that was assaulted by Agugu pleaded with his colleagues not to go ahead with the planned suspension of the caretaker chairman, stressing that he would not destroy his political career.

“I do not want to escalate issues so that Ushongo LGA will continue to be portrayed in a negative light.

“I beg of you to stand down on this issue. Let go the planned suspension of the caretaker chairman as a means of pulling his ear,” he pleaded.

Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Titus Uba, said that the assembly condemned in totality the irresponsible behaviour exhibited by Agugu.

Uba told Agugu to write an apology letter and present same to all the members of the assembly, adding that it must be announced on the radio too.

“Failure to comply with this directive, the house will rescind its decision of standing down his suspension,” he said.