By Jane Onyike & Benjamin Msughter
The Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA) held an extraordinary unified Congress on Saturday at the Benue State Public Services Institute in Makurdi. The meeting, chaired by the two factional leaders, Dr. Zack Wade and Comrade Terhemba Agbadu, was attended by the immediate past President, Comr. Lawrence Vihimga, and all aspirants from both factions.
The factional leaders announced that they had put aside their differences for the association’s growth and development. The Congress received reports on efforts made to broker peace, including meetings with government representatives and university management. Members expressed gratitude to Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia and the government team for their intervention.
The Congress resolved to forge a common front, putting aside negative aspects, and condemned the actions of Mr. James Ayoosu and his cohorts, who boycotted the peace process. The association distanced itself from Ayoosu’s activities, calling on the public to disregard him as he illegally parades himself as President.
Reports of disclaimers from members allocated positions in Ayoosu’s purported Executive Committee were received, stating that no elections were held. Consequently, the Congress expelled seven members involved in the illegality: James Ayoosu, Solomon Atavti, Stephen Ijoh, Joseph Ogah, Ambrose Atile, Caroline Ogah and Emmanuel Orshi.
The BSUAA Congress also condemned the legal action taken by the erring members against the state government, university, and the association while it adopted and ratified the harmonized position to conduct elections, as presented to the government and university management.
In the spirit of Easter, members expressed sadness over recent killings in the state and called on Benue people to join hands with the Governor to fight external enemies.
The Congress ratified the Electoral Committee, comprising: Terhemen Shom, Chairman; Fiase Mutum Iorfa, Secretary while Dr. Anjela Apir, Gbajime Terseer and Magaji Alidu are to serve as members.
The committee was tasked with drawing up guidelines and a timetable for a fair and credible election.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Magaji Alidu thanked members for the confidence reposed in them and sought their support and prayers to achieve the set goals for the association’s growth.
