Unongo Suspended From PDP

The State working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue has slammed a one month suspension order on former Minister of Power and Steel Wantaregh Paul Unongo from the party.

The State Chairman of the party, Dr Emmanuel Agbo stated this while addressing newsmen in his office in Makurdi yesterday evening, after the State Working Committee meeting.

He also disclosed that the elderstatesman’s case has been referred to the disciplinary committee of the party for appropriate action over the allegation of anti party activities before making its recommendation to the executive committee of the party.

Agbo said additional disciplinary action against him will be based on whatever recommendations that will emanate from his meeting with members of the state disciplinary committee.

In addition, the one month suspension, the party also relieved him of his position as member, PDP State Caucus and Chairman in Kwande Local Government area of the state.

The wife of Unongo, who was the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, was relieved of her position by Governor Gabriel Suswam shortly after the election over allegation of anti-party activities during the governorship election in the state.

The chairman also used the occasion to urge the people of the state to continue to support the Suswam-led administration which he said is determined in its second term to stimulate micro and macro-economic activities, create wealth and reduce poverty in the state

Meanwhile, as the race towards appointing people to political offices gathers momentum across the country, a socio- cultural group, the Idoma Youth Vanguard (IYV), has called on the newly elected and returning senators support the re-election bid of Senator David Mark as Senate President.

Addressing newsmen at the Benue Hotels, Makurdi, the IYV’s President, Hon. Mike Ocheibi explained that in the last four years, Senator Mark has distinguished himself by brining honour, credibility and respect to the Senate through prudent management of resources, accountability and quality leadership.

Ocheibi, who maintained that Mark’s contribution to the unity and stability of the country cannot be underestimated, opined that Nigerians have come to recognize his passion for peace, unity and well-being of the masses and the down-trodden.

According to him, the doctrine of necessity which was orchestrated during Mark’s tenure was a deft political wisdom that remedied the power imbroglio when there seemed to be no solution in the last days of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“Senator David Mark has not only restored the belief and confidence of Nigerians in the senate but has carefully avoided the proverbial banana peel in the Senate. Senators fighting and throwing tantrums at each other in the legislative chamber has become a thing of the past,” Ocheibi said.

Similarly, another Idoma group, Apa Peoples Club also backed Mark’s re-election as Senate president, while addressing newsmen yesterday at Empire Suites, Makurdi.

The Chairman of the club, Mr. Ogwuche Ogwuche x-rayed the sterling qualities of Senator Mark and called on his colleagues to support his re-election.

—Ubong George/Makurdi