The Paramount Ruler of the Tiv People and Chairman Benue Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Prof James Ayatse has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to put a permanent end to incessant attacks on his people by rampaging herdsmen.
The Tor Tiv gave the charge when President Buhari paid him homage before proceeding with his campaigns in Benue on Wednesday.
He also tasked the President to intensify action on the promised dredging of River Benue to avoid perennial flooding in the state.
He further appealed to the federal government to construct a bridge across River Buruku to avert reoccurring boat mishap and to rehabilitate the River Katsina-Alala Bridge which he noted has been in a deplorable state.
He also solicited for the establishment of a federal Polytechnic in Benue State.
The Tor Tiv also urged the president to create an enabling environment for a peaceful 2019 elections, cautioning against speculated ‘federal might’ to rig the elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Please, Mr President, kindly withdraw the much talked about “Federal Might” in Benue State which made our people apprehensive to participate in the forth coming general elections, award contract for the construction of Buruku bridge to save lives of people, stop the scrapping of some courses in University of Agriculture, Makurdi as has been planned.
“Establish a Federal College of Education and Polytechnic in Benue, expedite action on the dredging of River Benue to curb the menace of flooding, stop the constant attack on my people by the strange herdsmen who have been constantly killing Benue people by strengthening the Operation Whirl Stroke and finally, guarantee credible, free and fair elections in the country,” he said.
In his response, President Muhammadu Buhari said he has heard all their requests.
In a related development, the Tor Tiv while receiving the Presidential Candidate of Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, GDPN, Dr David Isibor Akhimien in his Palace in Gboko, stressed the need to elect leaders with sound education, exposure, experience and connection to salvage Nigeria.
According to the Tor Tiv, the jet age and globalization era, which the country has been caught into, desire visionary leaders who can embrace new development and approaches to push forward.
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He noted that Nigeria needs a change from the old to the new adding that even God used different approaches to address issues.
The traditional ruler lamented that the system of recycling leaders has continued to retard development, and admonished the GDPN Presidential Candidate to live up to his billing to provide the leadership the country yearns for when elected.
The Tor Tiv assured Dr Akhimien of his support and blessings saying leadership is ordained by God who chooses whom to elevate at any time.
Earlier, the GDPN Presidential Candidate, Dr David Isibor Akhimien had informed the Tor Tiv that he is seeking to be President to bring about the needed change which only visionary leaders can provide.
He submitted that his party is out to sanitize Nigerians on the need to vote for credible options which the GDPN represents.
