By Amos Aar
A GROUP under the auspices of Gboko East Progressive Union has kicked against an alleged plot to recall the member representing Gboko East constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Becky Orpin, who is also the chairperson, House Committee on Appropriation over her alleged failure to meet the required sitting days in the assembly.
The group, with its members drawn from “concerned indigenes of Gboko Local Government”, particularly Gboko East constituency, comprising Mbayion, Ipav, Yandev, and Gboko Township, bared its mind during a press conference at Gboko on Tuesday.
They said the recall move which has been on for about two weeks now is being sponsored by some enemies of Hon. Orpin and her godfather, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF).
In the text of the press conference accessed by National Record on Tuesday, group argued that the entire assembly has not met the sitting requirement hence Orpin cannot be singled out for recall.
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They further pointed out that the assembly had limited sittings at the Government House while Assembly Complex underwent renovation and the embattled lawmaker notified the house about her medical trip abroad which made her absent during some sittings.
While the group cautioned the assembly against bowing to the pressure to suspend Mrs Orpin, it also called on the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sanction the “faceless forces” and put its house in order.
“We, the umbrella body of all concerned indigenes of Gboko Local Government, particularly Gboko East constituency, comprising Mbayion, Ipav, Yandev, and Gboko Township, known as Gboko East Progressive Union, find it imperative to address our fellow constituents and indeed the state at large regarding the purported recall of Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin, the member representing Gboko East in the Benue State House of Assembly, on the 7th of May, 2024.
“It has come to our attention the evil, malicious, and dubious acts targeted at Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin (The Vande Kwase u Jemgbagh), the current Assembly Member representing Gboko East, by elements believed to be sponsored by enemies of Gboko East and our esteemed leader, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. George Akume (SGF).
“In the last two weeks, these elements embarked on a “Process of recall” aimed at Chief Mrs. Becky Orpin. In their attempt to perpetrate this evil, they have engaged in a campaign of calumny, claiming to be sponsored by higher powers.
“We refuse to dwell too much on the activities of these faceless ingrates and instead focus on Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin’s competence. She is a retired Deputy Director with the Benue State Ministry of Information, a Veteran Broadcaster and Journalist, and a former elected executive Chairman of Gboko Local Government. She has also served as the State Treasurer of ALGON and possesses extensive experience and competence, scoring 9/10 in our assessment.
“Turning our attention to the Tenth Assembly, we question who among the Assembly Members has performed magic that Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin has not? We view this attack on her as an attack on all of us and cannot remain passive while these evil characters attempt to distract her.
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“It is essential to note that the Tenth Assembly was inaugurated in June 2023 and had limited sittings at the government house while their complex underwent renovations. How then can one accuse Chief Mrs. Becky Orpin of not meeting the required sitting days in the assembly?
“We call on the Tenth Assembly to focus on legislative business and resist pressure from anti-progressive forces seeking to suspend Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin through any means. The eyes of the state and the world are upon us, and the task of providing quality and effective representation is paramount for the progress of our dear state.
“Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin, as the chairman of the appropriation committee, has diligently fulfilled her responsibilities, resulting in the swift passage of the budget. Furthermore, the Assembly has not met the constitutional required days to sit in a year, casting doubt on accusations of Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin’s absence.
“The rules of the assembly require members to notify their absence, a requirement Chief Mrs. Becky Torkwase Orpin has fulfilled during her medical trip last year. Additionally, disciplinary measures against erring members should only be taken after due process, as enshrined in our constitution.
“We urge the leadership of the Assembly to exercise caution and not yield to unseen forces in the bush. Suspending a duly elected member amounts to suspending the entire constituency.
“The leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) must fulfil its responsibility by calling erring members to order, as no one should be above the party. We also call on the state government not to succumb to the whims of retrogressive elements seeking to sow seeds of disunity.
“We pledge our unwavering loyalty and dedication to our Leader, His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume (SGF), who provides exemplary leadership to Benue State and Nigeria at large.
“In conclusion, we emphasize that our intervention is not a crime but a duty to uphold justice and progress”, part of the statement read.
