By Oboh Linus, Lafia
The Movement for Igede Advancement(MIA) a socio-political organisation of Igede ethnic nationality in Benue State has declared support for the creation of Apa-Agba State for the people of Benue South Senatorial District.
Prof. Samuel Ogo Ominyi, Chairman, MIA’s Team, made this position known at the Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Amendment in Lafia.
Ominyi said that the support was borne out of the persistent marginalisation of Benue South Senatorial Zone by successive administrations in Benue State.
According to him, the zone has been denied the opportunity to produce the Governor of Benue state since its creation half a century ago, noting that there is no prospect of getting that opportunity in the foreseeable future.
“I have the mandate of the entire Igede people, who constitute the third largest ethnic group in Benue state, to make this presentation. It was this organization that demanded the creation of Apa-Agba State, one of the 31 requests received by the National Assembly.
“Our primary objective here today is to reemphasize our support for the demand to create a new state for the Benue South Senatorial District of the present Benue State.
” We envisage a new state where no component will experience the fate the people of the zone have been going through,” he stated.
He called for the merger of the two new states being requested from Benue South Senatorial District, Apa State, and Apa-Agba State, to be known as APA-AGBA State, since they cover the same geographical area.
“The two words reflect the two brothers in the proposed state, ‘Apa’ for the big brother, Idoma, with ‘Agba’ reflecting the identity of his other brother, Igede, to give the new biggest minority component (Igede) a sense of belonging in the proposed state,” he explained.
The group expressed their total support and recommended
financial and administrative autonomy for Local Government Councils, noting that it would accelerate the much-needed socio-economic development at the grassroots.
He called for a constitutional amendment abolishing the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), and demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or another neutral body take the responsibility of conducting Local Government elections.
He called for support for the amendment of PART III B section 214 of the constitution to provide for the establishment of state police to guarantee adequate security within the states.
Earlier, Ahmed Idris Wase, Chairman, House Representatives Committee on the review of the Constitution, North Central, Centre B, comprising Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the committee would deliver a workable document that would meet the yearning and expectations of all Nigerians.
According to him, the committee is committed to delivering the exact messages and presentations made by various groups back to the parliament for consideration.
” I want to assure you that we will ensure that we give a very good document. Our quest and prayer is that let’s deliver a law and constitution that will protect, provide equitable, equality and fairness to all citizens of Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)