Anenih ruffles political feathers in Benue

The convocation ceremony turned out to be a high profile national event. Notable political leaders from the state and the national level were there. There was Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State; Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Garvey Yawe; the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Alhaji […]

The convocation ceremony turned out to be a high profile national event. Notable political leaders from the state and the national level were there. There was Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State; Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Garvey Yawe; the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Alhaji Adamu Aleiro; Chief Barnabas Gemade, former National Chairman of PDP; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; Prof Jerry Gana, a former minister and PDP leader and many others.

Chief Tony Anenih instantly became the man of the moment when he casually walked in. The crowd cheered and cheered as they saw live the man who has made a career out of his deft political moves. Beginning from the Second Republic days as an NPN chieftain, the Babangida days as the National Chairman that led the SDP to victory in the famous June 12 elections of 1993, a close associate of the late General Yar’adua and finally as Obasanjo’s hit man and the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, he has always been a national enigma.

Ironically, his defining moment at the event came towards its tail end when he had already left the venue. Senator George Akume in giving a vote of thanks on behalf of those honoured with award of doctorate degrees singled out the man who has repeatedly been criticised for taking huge amounts, which were nothing when compared to the N200 billion now known to have been spent in two years by (a state) Akwa Ibom from the Federal Government to repair and construct roads without applying same for the purpose: Chief Anenih.

Akume thanked the Chief on behalf of the university community and the people of Benue State for the roads he rehabilitated when he was the Minister of Works. Recalling his interaction with the Chief when he was governor, Senator Akume revealed that as a result of the pressure he put on Anenih, the Gboko-Mkar-Ameradu and the Katsina Ala-Zaki Biam-Ugba-Buruku roads were rehabilitated and constructed. This revelation received a standing ovation.

The roads under reference play an important role in the lives of the community. The Gboko-Mkar-Ameradu roads, for instance, are a major link of the university community to the outside world while the Katsina Ala-Zaki Biam-Ugba roads traverse the farming communities of the Sankera zone of the state noted for its high agricultural yields that have made Benue the food basket of the nation.

Earlier, the university orator had revealed while reading the citation of George Akume that he had provided the seed funds that enabled the university to get accredited by the National Universities Commission. It was in appreciation of this noble role that the university had decided to honour him at its first convocation.

Anenih’s appearance at the occasion, obviously as Akume’s guest, further fuelled the public’s suspicion that all is not well between the Akume and Suswam camp. Supporters of the former governor say he has been at the receiving end of Suswam’s energetic drive to dominate the politics of Tiv land and Benue State since he came into office as governor on May 29, 2007.

Both politicians have publicly denied that there is any disagreement between them, but with each passing day, there is increasing evidence that all is not well. Governor Suswam is said to have confided in his close associates and aides that all the problems he has faced as a governor were induced by his predecessor.

The plot is said to have allegedly had the blessing of Senate President David Mark who was challenged by Akume for the seat of Senate President. Since that challenge in the early days of the current Senate, relations between Akume and David Mark have not improved. Akume’s supporters are of the opinion that Suswam has turned his allegiance from his benefactor in favour of David Mark thus further widening the gulf between the two.

While the Senate President attends all occasions he is invited to by Governor Suswam no matter how inconsequential, he has never attended any occasion that Senator Akume has invited him to no matter how serious. The current chummy relations between Akume and Anenih are seen as the realignment of forces between supporters of the senator and the governor at the federal level. At that level, David Mark is regarded as Obasanjo’s fanatical follower who fought tooth and nail for third term while Anenih is seen as Yar’adua’s answer to Obasanjo’s meddlesomeness and overbearing nature. The Benue political stage is being set for an entertaining drama. Time will tell how these political acrobatics at the federal level will affect the fortunes of politicians in Benue.

Shettima, a current affairs/political commentator, is based in Abuja.