Suswam Replies ACN, Rejects Blame For Benue Violence

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has faulted the claims by the opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that? he was the? arrowhead? of the political violence that claimed many lives and property? in Logo Local Government Area on Monday.

The ACN had reportedly blamed the violence on Governor Suswam, alleging? that the intolerance exhibited by the governor and his henchmen led to the violence that rocked the council.

But Suswam had in a swift reaction? yesterday, insisted? that whoever blamed the violence on him or his administration was just doing so out of bitterness, saying? that he had done everything to prevent such crisis in the atate.

?In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the governor stated? that the ACN had engaged in several? provocative actions against him in the past, adding that he had to calm his supporters for the sake of peace in the state.

He added? that the opposition party should be held accountable for the loss of? innocent lives and properties, saying? that his administration would encourage the police and other security agencies in the state in their investigation to get to the root of the crisis.

The governor said that it was sad that the ACN, which could not accept defeat in good faith and support his government in its quest to provide good government could resort to political violence and killings of? members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said, “This is a case of murder and malicious damage, and we will encourage the security agencies in their investigation to make sure that those behind the attacks are brought to book no matter their position in the society”.

Governor Suswam also faulted the claim of the ACN on the chairman of Logo LGA , saying that there was no time the chairman? threatened to deal with any of the men which ACN had claimed that PDP supporters killed during the violence.

Suswam,? who maintained that no attack or act of violence from the opposition parties could distract him from fulfilling all the promises he made to the people of Benue,? appealed to the PDP faithful not to retaliate or? engage in? crisis that could jeopardise the safety and security of the people.