Benue govt, PDP in war of words over proposed Fulani colony

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Benue State Government are in a war of words over the alleged proposed establishment of a Fulani colony in the state.

This comes after Vice President Kashim Shetima announced plans for the construction of 1,000 houses in several states, including Benue, to accommodate the Fulani community.

The PDP in the state, through its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, had described the proposed establishment of Fulani colonies as a matter of “deathly serious nature.”

They have vowed that the people of Benue State will vehemently reject the proposal.

Recall that the immediate past administration in Benue State, led by Samuel Ortom, had previously rejected similar policies proposed by the federal government.

In a statement released by Iortyom and shared with journalists in Makurdi, the PDP called on the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to have Benue State removed from the list of states designated for these colonies.

The party argued that Benue State does not have a peer-to-peer basis for inclusion, unlike other selected states with substantial indigenous Fulani populations and land holdings. In these other states, it might be feasible to establish such colonies due to the existing Fulani communities.

He said, “Benue has no such indigenous Fulani population with land holdings where such a colony could be established.

Reacting, however, Governor Hyacinth Alia denied that government had succumbed to plans by the federal government to establish a Fulani colony in the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kulas, Governor Alia said there was no substance to the report.