By Amos Aar
THE OFFER by Governor Hyacinth Alia to pay the sum of N10 million naira to anyone who will give useful information that will lead to the arrest of suspects who attacked the Makurdi residence of the House of Representatives member for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo federal constituency, Hon. Solomon Wombo, last Saturday has been greeted with mixed reactions on social media.
Some armed men reportedly invaded Hon. Wombo’s Makurdi residence and demanded to know his whereabouts, insisting that the main flat of the house be opened for them to search. They also brutalised his housekeeper and left him in a pool of blood.
Condemning the attack on Sunday in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor promised that his administration would offer N10 million to any informant with useful information.
The governor stressed that “his administration will not watch criminals terrorise innocent people in the state, promising that his government will do everything in its power to ensure that the suspects are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law”.
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Meanwhile, public commentators took to Facebook to ask why Gov Alia did not promise such a bounty when an assassination attempt was made on the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese, few days before Wombo’s attack.
Others questioned why the governor did not use the same initiative when Wandor Community in Mbaikyor, Mbalom of Gwer East LGA of the state was attacked, leading to the death of sixteen persons and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
“The task of providing security by the government is to be enjoyed all without reservation, so it is germane for the Governor to extend same to Philip Agbese more so that they are both House of Reps members.
“No doubt, those close to the Governor will pass this piece swiftly to him”, Simon Egahi said.
“And no bounty placed on those who attacked Wandor in Mbalom?”, Michael Shawon asked.
Two days before the attack on Wombo’s residence, an anonymous author posted a story on social media which alleged that Hon. Wombo shunned the camp of the secretary to the government of the federation, Senator George Akume, and pitched tent with Governor Alia in the duo power tussle.
The writer claimed that the House of Representatives members from the state held a meeting last week and presented some demands to the Tor Tiv which must be complied with by Governor Alia before the crisis between him and his supposed godfather would be put to rest.
According to the source, Wombo was the only member who had a dissenting opinion and dissociated himself from his colleagues, blaming them for going to the press against the governor.
The anonymous author wrote: “the meeting took place without the governor. We however out of respect for the TorTiv presented our position, namely;
“Sen Akume Remains the party leader.
“Agada Remains the state chairman, no parallel structure
“Synergy must be cultivated by the Governor and Nass members.
“The Gov must stop insulting Nass members
“All illegal structures in the LGC be disbanded while Nass members be consulted in the election of new LGC leadership.
“Governor Must secure the state and stop playing politics.
“Alia must be brought forward to engage with Nass members.
“The Tiv Area Council agreed with all our submissions and promised to meet with Alia and revert to us.
“The only drama that preceded this meeting was our insistence that state government representatives must get out before the meeting, that we can not discuss with anyone except the Gov. They were walked out!
“Another one is that Hon Solomon Wombo stood up to dissociate himself from us. He blames us for going to the press against the Gov.”.
