Recall of N14.9b Paris Club Refund To Benue State Unacceptable

The Coordinator, Benue Arise Enough is Enough, Prince Omoi Obande has condemned the recall of the N14.9 billion Paris Club refund to Benue state government by the federal government, describing it as unacceptable.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Prince Omoi Obande said that the news of the disbursement of the Paris club refund to Benue State government, and the directive by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom for immediate payment of salary arrears and pension came as a big relief for the good people of the state.

But that the decision of the Federal Government to recall the same fund credited to state after raising the hope of the common man in the state, came as a rude shock to the entire people of the state.

He said that the situation has become an issue of concern and worrisome to every family living and hoping on salary and called on every well-meaning people of  the state, regardless of their political differences to join hands with the state governor to say no to what he described as “injustice and impunity on the good people of Benue State”.

“I urge our brother, sisters and well-wishers to take this once in a life time opportunity available to us to stand together as one in defense of our sovereignty so that posterity will judge us for good.

“This singular act by the Federal Government has compounded the problem of the good and law abiding people of Benue State. The biggest question to ask is; are we really in the same country? Are we still operating a democratic system of government? Is the Federal Government really fighting corruption or fighting the people? Who are the cartels, advisers behind this injustice? It is clear that the people of Benue state after all they have gone through with the herdsmen saga, and as civil servants who rely on salaries from the state government, are the target of this federal government’s unpopular directives.

“The Federal Government should have considered the sensitive situation of the people of Benue State, and not playing politics with issues that affect the lives of the people of the state. It is clear that this battle is no longer with His Excellency Dr Samuel Ortom, but the entire good people of Benue State. It is their rights and their benefit just like other states that have also benefited from the same Paris Club refund.

"If those elected to represent the interest of the people fail to respond to defend the people within 48 hours, then the people will be left with no other option than to stand and defend their interest, their sovereignty and their right.

"There is no doubt that division and disunity among us has contributed to the crisis and situation we found our self today in Benue State. I urge our brother, sisters and well-wishers to take this once in a life time opportunity available to us to stand together as one in defense of our sovereignty so that posterity will judge us for good.

"The people of Benue State are too big, educated, learned, expose and enlightened to be pocketed by some few individuals as their “FOLLOW FOLLOW” and as such we are calling on every leaders, representatives of Benue State to respond to this impunity and injustice for the defense of our people within 48 hours or face total rejection by the people of the State (electorates), for united we stand, divided we fall", Prince Obande stated.