Starrays
By Moses Agbe(NASS Abuja).
A non-political national association popularly known as the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum(NASLAF), Benue State Chapter has strongly condemned the recent attack on its Chairman, Hon. Norgba Orvave who doubles as Senior Legislative Aide(SLA) to Rep. Chief Mrs Regina Akume.
The Forum made this bold condemnation in a press conference today at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Addressing the press through the anchor head of the press conference, the Secretary General of the Forum, Hon. Shakume Teryila described the attack as”unwarranted, barbaric, autocratic, totalitarian, despotic, dehumanize, undemocratic and above all, an affront on the fundamental human rights of the Benue Citizenry; which guaranteed freedom of expression and association”, he stated.
The Secretary General further alleged that it was a shocking and disheartening news for the Union to know that Hon. Orvave was attacked right in his home town while carrying out his constitutional parliamentary responsibilities as directed by his Principal, Rep. Regina Akume, to update her score card to her constituents and also brief them on the upcoming program of her one year celebration, which Hon. Teryila described in the legislative jargon as” constituency briefing”.
The Forum in their purview, considered this recent attack! on Hon. Orvave as the third in the series of attacks on Federal Parliamentarians, taking into cognizance, the previous attacks on Rep. Solomon Wombo and Rep. Philip Agbese; alleging from the foregoing that, the political operations in the State under the Leadership of Governor Hycient Iormem Alia has been militarized. Stressing that the recent violent political scenarios which have tagged the State as a Frontline State in the comity of Nigerian States, the Secretary General alleged.
While pleading their unflinching loyalty to their Principals, The Forum reiterated that, it’s members will not be deterred in carrying out their constitutional parliamentary constituency outreach duties even in the wake of threats and attacks from the State as they have resolved to condemn any violent Political threats and attacks on their Principals and the Benue people, Secretary. General stressed .
The Benue State NASLAF as well, frowned at the cold war going on between the leadership of Benue State government and other eminent sons, representing the State at the Federal Level, appealing to both parties to eschew bitterness and embrace peace, love and unity in order to move the State forward.
The Spokesman of the Press conference, Hon. Teryila further stressed the need for synergy between the warring political factions, both at the state and national, for a new developmental Benue of their dream, he emphasized.
Earlier, The Forum advised the youths who are always used as political thugs in this our digital era, to wake up from their slumber and be wise enough, to challenge their sponsors, demanding for better educational training in different professional areas in the country and international; inorder to prepare and reposition them as leaders of tomorrow.
The Spokesman also cited the newly elected Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a youth of 44years, as food for thought. Enjoy the full text of the Press conference:
“The Benue State Chapter of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum” (NASLAF) are here as a body to unanimously Condemn in a very strong term, the unwarranted attack on our Chairman, Hon. Norgba Orvave, who is Senior Legislative Aides (SLA) to Rep. Regina Akume, by sponsored political thugs that were allegedly acting on the instructions of some self-acclaimed political Stakeolders and State government.
” We Condemned and consider this trend of political philosophy as alien, barbaric, autocratic, totalitarian, despotic, dehumanize, undemocratic and above all, an affront on the fundamental human rights of the Benue citizenry; which guaranteed freedom of expression and association.
“The Forum perceived this militarization of the Benue polity under the incumbent administration as a joke taken too far.
“Gentlemen of the Press, our distinguished audience, You will recall that, our Chairman suffered an unprovoked attack right in his home town, Mbatyav, Gboko LGA, Of Benue State Last week, when he stood in for his Principal, Rep. Chief Mrs Regina Akume; to update the stakeholders of Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, on her score card so far, and to notify her Constituents on the 100 days celebration coming up soonest, that the disguranted youths invaded the scene, disrupted the proceedings and bounced on our Chairman, chanting political war songs that send signals of directives to eliminate him.
” It should be noted that Hon. Norgba Orvave before his attack, was carrying out his constitutional parliamentary responsibilities as directed by his Principal, popularly known in the Legislative parlance as Constituency briefing.
“Let it be known that the Forum will not be silent in condemnation of Political attacks and violence in the state because it’s undermined the fundamental principles of our liberal democracy and humanity.
“This attack marks the third in the State on the series of attacks targeted on representatives of the Federal Parliament, proceeding that of Reps. Solomon Wombo and Philip Agbese as highlighted in our maiden press conference, which has placed our State as one of the highest politically militarized amongst the comity of Nigerian States.
“We, advised our youths to desist from these barbaric acts and borrow a leaf from the recent political transformation, call it a revolution if you like, from one of our African Countries, Senegal that marks the emergency of a 44 year old young man, Bassirou Diomaye Faye as President of that country and be wise; noting that the future of the state and indeed Nigeria, belongs to them. As such, they should hold their sponsors of political thuggery responsible in tasking them to rechannel such resources in training them(so-called thugs) to read better professional courses abroad so that they can be mentally and physically repositioned to take the mantle of tomorrow’s leadership and of course, compete effectively with theirs children; rather than giving them peanuts to be recruited as thugs that may unfortunately lose their precious lives.
“As we conclude, it is pertinent to note that the Forum frowned at the cold war going on between the leadership of the Benue State government and the majority of the illustrious sons of the state representing at the federal Level.
“In view of the above, we call on all relevant stakeholders to exercise restraint, eschew bitterness, individual pride and embrace peace, unity and love for the common good and development of the good people of Benue State, by extension, North Central and indeed, Nigeria at Large”, he stated.
