The Majority Chief Whip and Member representing Katsina Ala West in the Benue State House of Assembly, Honourable Peter Ipusu has thrown light on what many are seeing as his hard stand against the executive in the State.
Hon Ipusu on Thursday during plenary challenged the executive for prioritizing infrastructural development over security of lives and properties especially his people of Katsina Ala West.
Speaking on the motion to invite top government functionaries to explain what they termed as ‘huge financial involvement’ to be deployed for the construction of the road from Wurukum roundabout to Tyo-mu in Makurdi, Hon Ipusu said, ” it is disheartening to know that we are spending billions of naira on road construction and people are dying in villages.
“In supporting this motion, I want to urge the Commissioner of Finance not to release a dime until our discussions with them will be clarified”.
Ipusu’s challenge has elicited reactions from the public most of which are insinuating that he has been bought over by the opposition to taunt Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
But Ipusu in an interview with The Voice Politics Friday in Makurdi dismissed such insinuations saying such are misconceptions as he never descended on the executive but rather, voiced out the concerns of his people.
“Why would I regret to say or voice out what my people have asked me to do on the floor of the House? It wasn’t meant to attack anybody, it was just a wake up call.
“I know that in the area of security the Governor has done very much. The Governor that we have today is not a parrot Governor. He is not somebody who would like to be heard for everything that he is doing. He is a silent achiever.
“That call was meant to strengthen him in the areas that perhaps, due to pressures of governance, he may not have looked into.
“The rains are here and I have received so many calls from my people of their inability to go to the farms. So it was a wake up call, not intended to slight anyone”
According to him, the allusions to the decision to construct the road from Wurukum to Tyomu was also to ensure that priorities are set aright.
“That road I have come to the realization that it is a federal road and the money will be reimbursed, so even if it cost a hundred billion it does not matter.
“But I personally feel that we should be alive to enjoy the development that is coming. So the protection of lives and properties should be top priority in the State.
“The Governor is doing so much and should continue but it was a call for him to do more in the area of insecurity.
“That is why I am his person today and tomorrow . I am the number one supporter of His Excellency today, tomorrow and next.
“I have seen his developmental strides and good intentions for the State but that does not mean that I will not tell my principal how my people are feeling. Others may be there and will not be able to tell him but I need to tell him without prejudice how the people are feeling”, he countered.
