Leaders from the troubled middle-belt region of Nigeria have accused President Muhammadu Buhari of orchestrating the political chaos in Benue and as such must be held responsible for the crisis.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum called the attention of the international community to the political anarchy by the Buhari-led Federal Government in Benue State.
Read: Impeachment: Buhari, Oshiomhole Sponsoring Anarchy In Benue – PDP
The group issued a statement where it alleged that the ongoing political unrest in the state was being carried out by a group of people with the backing of the Federal government.
The statement was signed by Yinka Odumakin South West, Senator Bassey Henshaw South South, Prof Chigozie Ogbu South East and Dr Isuwa Dogo. Read the contents of the statement below;
It has been reported that a ruthless and desperate plot was hatched this morning which involved drafting policemen from Abuja and neighbouring states to force the majority 22 members of the State Assembly out of the Assembly complex to pave way for the impeached Speaker,Hon Terkimbi Ikyange and six others to sit.
The gangsteric operations which was said to have been led by Benue State AC OPS,Emmanuel Adesina saw the minority members sitting without the mace and the clerk of the Assembly, suspending the majority 22 members and serving impeachment notice on Governor Ortom.
It is shameful that President Buhari who realised after about four months that his Inspector General of Police did not obey his directive to go and secure lives in Benue State and has done nothing to him is so eager to deploy policemen to the State to enforce illegality for political calculations.
We are worried that till date the President and his security team have yet to bring anybody to book for the killing of hundreds of people in Benue. They have only been putting pressure on the governor to suspend the anti-open grazing law and cede land for imperialistic and land -grabbing notion of ranches.
It is equally embarrassing that a supposed democratic government would resort to thuggish tactics where political engagement is needed.
This is a throwback to full blown dictatorship and the dark days of putting human beings in crate. We want to let President Buhari know in advance that he will be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Benue and any possible loss of lives .
We call on the international community to pay particular attention to the on-going subversion of the democratic process in Benue by the Buhari government.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Benue at this dark moment as evil walks on four legs across their state.
They must not flinch or surrender as this shall come to pass.
The present political crisis is directly linked to the mass defections by some prominent members of the APC to the opposition PDP which has not gone down well with the leadership of the party.