A group, Benue Rebirth 2023, has described the plans by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers to impose a governor on Benue State come 2023 as a failure.
In a statement signed on Monday, the Coordinator of the group, Adue Iortyom, alleged that Mr Wike had reconciled with Governor Samuel Ortom in a bid to actualise his ambition.
According to Mr Ioryom, Mr Wike’s move is not in the best interest of Benue people.
The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a grand plan by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his new found friend, Governor Samuel Ortom to further lower the bar of leadership in Benue State.
“It would be recalled that Wike had repeatedly criticized Ortom for poor leadership of the state, a situation which has not changed.
“Curiously, the duo has become best of friends. Although in politics and in life generally, forgiveness is ideal, the purpose for the reconciliation of the duo is not in the interest of Benue State.
“Our scrupulous findings have shown Governor Wike has promised to install the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, governor in 2023.
“Terver Akase had served as FRCN correspondent in Rivers state and boasts of being a Wike Boy.
“Further findings indicate that Mr Akase in order to convince and retain loyalists of the Benue State Governor on his side has promised to make the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ortom, Hon. Abraham Kwaghngu his chief of staff in 2023.
“We have it on good authority that Akase and Kwaghngu have signed a binding agreement of no betrayal.
“Hon. Kwaghngu boasted that he is the closest person to Governor Ortom who has the ears of the governor and can impress on him to make Terver Akase the flag bearer of the PDP in 2023,” the statement alleged.
The group further averred that Mr Akase had boasted of playing a crucial role in reconciling the two governors.
“Mr Akase has told people who care to listen that he was instrumental to settling the animosity that had existed between Governor Wike and his principal, Governor Ortom, which has placed the governor in the mainstream of the PDP.
“He believes that with the control Wike has on PDP and the relationship that Ortom has with Wike, his getting the Benue ticket is a forgotten conclusion especially that Wike has promised to bankroll his campaign,” the statement alleged.
