Benue State’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday was marked by the conspicuous absence of several prominent political figures, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, former Governor Samuel Ortom and former Senate President David Mark.
The golden jubilee celebration, hosted by Governor Hyacinth Alia at the IBB Square in Makurdi, attracted an array of dignitaries, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John.
However, Akume, Ortom and David Mark were absent from the event, while loyalists of Akume and Ortom also stayed away, according to observations by LEADERSHIP.
It was not immediately clear whether invitations had been extended to the absent political leaders. A Benue State Government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to confirm whether invitations were sent to some of the prominent Benue indigenes who did not attend the celebration.
Reacting to the development, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Benue State and Akume loyalist, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, described the absence of some of the state’s leading political figures as surprising.
“It was equally surprising that a number of other prominent Benue leaders, including the highest-ranking Benue indigene in the current Federal Government and the immediate past civilian governor of the state, were not present. A celebration of this magnitude should have provided an opportunity to bring together past and present leaders in a spirit of unity, demonstrating that Benue’s history belongs to everyone and that its future requires the collective efforts of all,” Kuraun said.
He also noted that former military administrators who governed the state were absent from the celebration.
“Also absent were former military administrators who governed Benue State and played significant roles in laying the foundations for its growth and development. Whether these distinguished individuals were invited but unable to attend, or were not invited at all, remains unclear. Nevertheless, their absence was widely noticed and, for many, represented a missed opportunity to honour those who helped build the state,” he added.
