Benue State is Central to National Unity – Kashim Shettima
By Paul Samuel, Makurdi
Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has stated that Benue State is central to national unity in Nigeria. Shettima noted that there is an old historical link between Borno and Benue, which dates back to the First Republic. That relationship helped to stabilise the North in particular and Nigeria in general. Benue State has continued to play that unifying role in the Nigerian political system, even in the ongoing Fourth Republic.
Senator Kashim Shettima made the statement while receiving a delegation of Benue elders, led by Retired General Lawrence Onoja.
He further assured that the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be based on equity, fairness, and justice. That will be the central plank of the incoming APC administration.
The APC Vice Presidential Candidate noted that grievances are part of the political process in every human society. How those grievances are settled, marks out the ability of political leaders. Shettima underlined the ability of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide a very enlightened leadership that takes care of all tendencies and communities in the country.
He expressed satisfaction that the Benue elders have reiterated their commitment to the APC, despite internal grievances in the party in Benue State. He added further that the team was preaching to the converted. “When we win the elections, we will bend backwards to accommodate all the groups in Benue State,” Shettima added.
Earlier, General Lawrence Onoja thanked Senator Kashim Shettima for giving the team the opportunity for the meeting. He listed the various grievances facing the APC in Benue State. These are related to issues of equity and justice. He stated that Zone C of Benue has been the most historically disadvantaged part of the State. The team wants the incoming APC administration to deal with the zone, with a sense of fairness.
Members of the delegation were drawn from all the communities of the Agatu-Idoma-Igede areas of Benue Zone C.
