by Aper Draonel
Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has called on George Akume, the former governor of the state for reconciliation.
The two governors have been at logerheads since 2007 when Suswam took over governorship of the state, with Akume moving with his supporters out of the PDP into the ACN which later merged with other parties to form the APC.
At a book launch in Makurdi, Suswam appealed to Akume for both of them to settle their differences for the development of the state. According to him, his predecessor single-handedly worked for his election as governor in 2007.
“I have never disputed the fact that Senator Akume was instrumental to my becoming governor and I have also been instrumental to his political career. When I was young, I use to drive him when he was with former Senate President Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. Akume has contributed immensely to the political development of this nation.
“I appeal to our supporters to always encourage us to seek peace and not quarrel. I also appeal to my boss not to be too hard on me as I promise to stop knocking him. Let us talk politics, especially the development of the state,” Suswam said.
Responding to Suswam’s appeal, Akume said that he still has a lot of respect for the governor even though he (Suswam) ‘abandoned’ him after he had installed him as governor of the State in 2007 and also worked for his re-election in 2011.
It was learnt that supporters of both Suswam and Senator Akume have, at various times, clashed in the state because of the ongoing misunderstanding.
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