Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has stated that part of the measures he will adopt to ensure that peace returns to Benue state is for the Fulani and Tivs to sign peace accord.
The former Vice President made the pledge on Monday in Makurdi, Benue State while addressing party supporters at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally.
Atiku assured that he will bring insecurity to an end and ensure that there is peaceful co-existence between Fulani and Tiv communities in the state. He said that he will ensure that people freely go to farms without fear of loosing their lives and make Benue state truly the food basket of the nation.
He said, “The umbrella of Tiv people all over the world, I promise you, if you elect me as your president, just like I did in 2001, when I came to Benue and made the Fulanis to sign a peace accord with their brother Tivs, I will come and make sure peace returns to Benue State. Benue state is the food basket of this country, today our farmers in Benue do not go to farm again because of insecurity. I will make sure security returns to Benue State.
“I also promised you that by the grace of God, the issue of unemployment of our young men and women will be a thing of the past, that is why in my policy document, I said we are going to allocate 10 billion US dollars to empower our young men and women with enterprises.
“Let me also assure you that the infrastructural deficit you are facing in this state in terms of your connectivity with other neighboring states will be a thing of the past because we are going to make sure that we vote funding for development of roads and railways to make sure that our transportation system is once again working.
“Benue state has been a gateway state between the far north and the south, that is why we have the railway line passing through Benue state, today that line is not working, I promise you that when you elect a PDP government, we shall reopen the railway lines.
“Let me again reassure you that the closure of our universities because of the non-payment of salaries to the members of staff will be a thing of the past. I have a private university, we have never gone on strike for one day, so if a private university cannot go on strike for one day, why should the public university. I promise you ASUU will not go on strike, because we will pay them and fund education sector adequately”.
Also adding his voice, National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu said that it is only people who are mentally deranged that will return the ruling party to power.
“All of you know that you have suffered in this country in the last eight years APC, only somebody who has mental problem will vote for APC. Do not waste your vote” Ayu said.
The former Senate President said that the party is in tact just as he called on all aggrieved members especially governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom to bury his grievances and return to the party.
He said, “The party is not divided. There are a few members who have grievances. We are talking to them. We want to make sure they come back and work with us fully. One week is enough to change everything. This thing has been going on and I want to assure you that we’ll receive everybody back.
“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 land all the PDP governors.
“We want all our candidates, all our governors to be with us because if you allow APC to win this election, you will regret it”.
The campaign team had earlier visited Tor Tiv, His Royal Highness, Prof. James Ayatse and Ochi Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Agaba-Idu, Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John at palaces in Gboko and Oturkpo respectively to solicit for their support.
