Prof. Terhemba Shija
By By SAM ADZEGEH, Makurdi –
Following up on his momentous outings in his Jechira countryside, Professor Terhemba Shija, star aspirant of the Benue APC continued his impressive round of consultations with the party’s leadership in the State during which he formally informed them of his intention to contest the State’s governorship in the 2023 elections.
He told the party leaders that, after consulting widely, he also needed to get their blessings as custodians of the party in the state.
Shija told the party leaders that, after a bitter struggle to wrest power from the military, it is time to separate true democrats from others who are in governance to exploit the people for monetary gains. In this vein, he pointed out, the APC was miles away from others because it is a people oriented party as is clear from the lifestyles of its leaders like President Buhari, Senator George Akume and others, which are clearly different from those who are in governance only to amass wealth by even selling the people’s commonwealth. He emphasized that 2023 must be must usher in a new lease of life for the traumatized people of the State as it provides a God-sent opportunity to push looters out of government and rebuild the state.
Shija noted that APC leaders are faced with the huge tax of sifting through so many credible aspirants but emphasized that they must go for knowledgeable and credible people who can deliver the state to to the party and ultimately not not fail to fulfill its promises to the people.
Stressing that he believes in Benue State, Shija pointed out that his manifesto – The Benue Rebuild Agenda – is centred on re-emphasizing and modernizing the Benue agenda as envisioned by visioners like late Aper Aku, JS Tarka, etc, and expressed regrets that their dreams have been abandoned by opportunists and criminal minded elements who do not appreciate or understand them, and that despite efforts by some leaders like Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu and Senator George Akume, such usurpers have sold out the people’s inheritance and run every thing aground. He thus emphasized the need to rebuild the state.
Security considerations, Shija noted, are a prime consideration in the manifesto but noted that they are more generic and more complex than what is currently being portrayed. He said his administration will strengthen existing state laws and pursue other means to establish good relations with neighbours and visitors alike, emphasizing that the state can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace and enterprise which would engender food security.
He however stressed that he is fully commited to securing the lives and property of every Benue citizen and emphasized that “anyone from wherever who takes a Benue life or destroys Benue property would be hunted down and brought to justice.
“People coming here to do legitimate business will be most welcome. I will provide fully equipped ranches for those who desire them, which is an economic program from which the State will reap enormous economic benefits for its development. We shall follow the trend of other states like Lagos, Ogun and others and secure our State by establishing corps Marshalls to fully assist federal forces to protect our state. Benue must wake up from it’s slumber and assume its rightful place,” Shija emphasized.
Speaking further, he said: “We have marginalized and insulted our youth for too long, paying them slave stipends to insult their elders and kill and maim one another; it is enough.
I shall give them jobs to give them pride and a renewed sense of belonging. There is enough in Benue State to turn our economy around.
“I will, working with the State Assembly, modernize our land administration laws so that agriculture will become a booming business in the State.
I am coming with a noble intention to give hope to the younger generation.”
- Adzegeh is Director, Media and Publicity to Prof. Shija’s gubernatorial campaign organization.
