By SUNDAY ODIBASHI
Alhaji Abubakar B. Tsav, a retired Commissioner of Police and notable stakeholder in Benue polity, has exploded over uncompromising issues in the governance of Benue State.
Tsav, in a statement sent to National Daily, accused both Senator George Akume and Governor Samuel Ortom of misleading the people of the state and telling lies against former Governor Gabriel Suswam during the 100 days anniversary of Governor Ortom. He described as typical lies the linking of Suswam to the failed contracts of constructing the Gbajimba-Daudu Road.
Tsav narrated that “the truth is that Akume awarded contract for the construction of this road to Value Trust Company Limited, paid them but they absconded without performing the job. Without recovering the money already paid and without termination the contract, he re-awarded the same contract to Hajaig who also received payment and absconded. Here again, nothing was done to recover this payment. How is Gabriel Suswam involved here?”
The former Police Commissioner was of the view that what was reasonably expected of Senator Akume was to tell his listeners that their son, Ortom, will keep to his campaign promises by constructing that road.
Tsav recalled that during a Press conference to mark his 100 days in office, Governor Samuel Ortom said he has set aside N500 million from the money he borrowed for payment of salaries owed civil servants in the state, as well as to construct the Gbajimba-Daudu Road. “The governor even claimed that contractors are back on sites; this was shown to be one of his many lies, a lying governor,” Tsav lamented.
He decried that Senator Akume also told his listeners that during the invasion of Guma Local Government Area by Fulani herdsmen, Gabriel Suswam did not take steps to deal with the situation.
Tsav stated that, here again, Akume is lying. He disclosed that Suswam took necessary steps to control the situation; even visited the area and was attacked by the gunmen, noting that this was carried by both print and electronic media; declaring” “This is nothing but shameless lies typical of our politicians whose stock in trade is lying.”
Tsav observed that Guma LGA falls within the Akume’s Senatorial District, saying that “while all these killings were going on, Akume did not visit the area to console his electorate, not even when over 30,000 Hausas and Kabawas who had lived in Gbajimba for over 150 years carrying out legitimate businesses of fishing and trading were illegally and forcefully dislodged by hired militants, with all their houses and places of worship looted and demolished.”
The elder statesman stated that “Akume is nothing but a drunken liar and a liability to Benue State who should not be taken seriously by any sane person.”
Tsav was of the view that the case of Akume fits into this beatitude: “Blessed are they whose corrupt acts are covered for they shall parade as honest people.”