Akume, Ortom, David Mark Absent as Benue Marks 50th Anniversary
Benue State’s 50th anniversary celebration was marked by the presence of several prominent national and traditional leaders, but the absence of key Benue political figures, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, former Governor Samuel Ortom, and former Senate President David Mark, attracted attention.
The golden jubilee celebration, hosted by Governor Hyacinth Alia at the IBB Square in Makurdi, drew a distinguished audience. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Other notable guests included former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), former Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John.
However, observations by CONFIRMNEWS indicated that Akume, Ortom, David Mark, and many of their political loyalists did not attend the event.
It remains unclear whether invitations were extended to the absent political leaders. A Benue State Government official, who spoke anonymously, declined to confirm whether invitations had been sent to the prominent Benue indigenes who were absent.
Reacting to the development, APC governorship aspirant and Akume loyalist, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, described the absence of some of the state’s most influential leaders as surprising.
According to him, a celebration marking Benue’s 50 years of existence should have served as an opportunity to unite past and present leaders in the interest of the state’s development.
Kuraun also noted that former military administrators who governed Benue State were absent from the celebration. He said it was unclear whether they were invited but unable to attend or were not invited at all, adding that their absence represented a missed opportunity to recognise individuals who contributed to the state’s growth and development.
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