AN ENGLISH TRANSCRIPTION OF SEN. SUSWAM'S SPEECH...AS AKUA AKU IS LAID TO REST

An English transcription of Sen. Suswam's speech...

AS AKUA AKU IS LAID TO REST

Warns Against Politics of Bitterness, Division 

Former Benue state governor, Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam has accused political elites in BENUE State especially those from Ushongo local government for refusing to support the family of Late. Governor Aper Aku, which he noted has culminated in the untimely death of Hon. Akua Aku, the first son of Late. Aper Aku.

Sen. Gabriel Suswam accused Ikyobo, Ukan, Ushongo local government during his funeral oration at the burial ceremony of the first son to the highly rated former governor of Benue state, Late. Mr. Apollos Aper Aku.

According to him and I quote;

"You can't talk about good governance in Benue state without mentioning the Late governor Aper Aku. He did wonderfully well. He built the Benue state government house and all the state-owned industries and so on. Another governor whose performances were close to Aper Aku is Gabriel Torwua Suswam. I think he deserves a commendation that should have been extended to his family. Unfortunately, Aper Aku has been forgotten especially amongst his Ushongo kinsmen. I have tried on my part in honoring him and his family.

"For instance, When I was elected governor of the state, I did all I could to complete most of his projects. It was because, I considered him as a visionary man, role model, and compass for measuring good leadership. I completed a rural electrification project from Ge-Mbayem to Tse Nyagba and also initiated the construction of Ge-Mbayem to Konshisha road for the sake of the Late Aper Aku.

"Similarly, I made Akua Aku, the first son of late governor Aper Aku, who is now deceased, the PDP flagbearer for Ushongo state house of Assembly, but he was rejected outrightly. He contested again and again, but the Ushongo people refused to pitch tents with him. Sadly, if there are illustrious sons and daughters in Ushongo local government today, they are all handmade by the Late Aper Aku. I can name them if you so wish.

"In essence, you are saying leadership should be more of self-centeredness. You want any governor to prioritize his family affairs so that even when death comes, his family will still live in affluence. Society won't be a better place for all if leaders have resolved to be self-centered. I think it's hard time to emulate Northern political practice and shun politics of bitterness and division. In the north, once you served your people well as a leader, your family will live to enjoy it forever. That is why they are progressing and ahead of us.

"Akua Aku died at 53 because of frustration and poverty caused by you, Ushongo people. The soul of Aper Aku won't be happy wherever it is now. We should be ashamed of ourselves especially those of you from Mbakuha extraction. However, it is not too late to make amends. Akua Aku has siblings. If truly we are happy with the legacies of Governor Aper Aku, let us all support one of his male children to prosper beyond measure. It is not by mere speeches. This way, our leaders will be motivated to do exploits, bearing in mind, compensation awaits them.

"Zaki you know the rudiments of Tiv tradition and you know what to do. I have listened to your funeral oration very well. However, there is a need to make Aper Aku happy because, if his soul is sad, Ushongo local government will be affected. Our leaders both living and dead need your support and encouragement. Else, others will be afraid to sacrifice their comfort for societal development.

"Again, there is a difference between campaign and governance. Failure to separate the two would retard development. For instance, we have a new governor of Benue state in person of Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormen Alia. We also have our son at the Federal level as SGF. Let us put party affiliations aside and support them for the good of the state. The time for political campaigns where terrible things are said about people is over. It is now time for governance and development of the society."

"The position given to Sen. George Akume is not something to play politics with. It is a high-profile office as far as Nigeria is concerned, and it will take several years for Benue State to enjoy it again. Therefore, we must all support him to excel despite our political differences.

"When campaign resumes, I, for instance, will go back to PDP where I belong and start mapping out strategies that would help my party win elections. The practice of continued politicking even after elections in Tiv nation is not worth it. Let us refrain from the antics of distracting our leaders so that they will have no reason for abyssal performance.

"It is high time for Tiv people to wake from slumber and shun all divisive tendencies. This is because they are going backward every day. For instance, if you go to Igede and Idoma lands, you will hardly see a thatched house. But thatch houses abound in Tiv land where there are a lot of human and economic resources. This is because we lack unity of purpose and are found in envy and jealousy. We can't develop that kind of mentality. The worst is even coming if we remain unchanged.

" Finally, it's very unfortunate we are to bury Akua Aku at this age. This has to stop in this family. Zaki, you will have to take a bold step toward compensating Late Governor Aper Aku. He did well not just for Ukan but Benue state at large. May God console the bereaved family"