As states in the country celebrated 13 years of uninterrupted democracy yesterday, Benue State Government marked the day without the usual? colourful activities in and around the state.
People of Benue, both men and women, big politicians and top government officials who trooped to the popular Ibrahim Babangida Square to take part in the celebration went home disappointed, as there were no activities and nobody gave explanations for the government no-show at the arena.
However, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, yesterday, in a radio broadcast to the people, said it was imperative to cautiously preserve the hard-earned democracy by avoiding acts that are capable of eroding the gains that have been achieved in the past. He? advised the people to shun violence and embrace dialogue in all situations.
Governor Suswam, who was live on the state radio at 6.30am, said it was very unfortunate that some of the people in the state and country were hiding under the guise of opposition politics to continue to perpetrate violence and mischief.
“There is need to constantly engage in discourse and robust dialogue which are basic ingredients of democracy,” Suswam said.
He appealed for peace and unity amongst the people irrespective of political affiliations and added that his administration was committed to working assiduously toward providing good governance to improve the people’s standard of living and maintenance of peace and security.
He called on the opposition in the state to join hands with his administration to provide good governance?? and ‘build a greater Benue for ourselves, for our children and for the people’.
“I wish to appeal to you all irrespective of your partisan inclinations to shun violence and embrace dialogue and peace in all situations as violence can only retard our development,” the governor said.
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