By Amos Aar
BENUE State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, has refuted claims that he instigated the disruption at the burial of the late Terikyõr I, Chief Thomas Tule Jam Gbinde, in Vandeikya LGA.
Allegations had circulated suggesting Kunde orchestrated the confrontation against Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher, the House of Representatives member for Jechira Federal Constituency.
However, the commissioner dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and unfounded. He described the claims as “baseless and unsubstantiated,” maintaining that he had no involvement in the disturbance.
Instead, he criticized the lawmaker’s conduct, stating that Ikpagher arrived at the venue with a rowdy entourage chanting traditional Tiv war songs.
A Facebook video shared by Kunde purportedly shows the lawmaker’s arrival
“They came chanting ‘Gande Vanger va ve’ — a song signalling conflict, not welcome. No one provoked them, yet they entered the venue during a church service with such aggression,” Kunde stated.
He added that security personnel intervened when one of Ikpagher’s supporters allegedly assaulted a police officer at the gate.
“The police instructed that only Hon. Sesoo should proceed, but he insisted on entering with his supporters. When officers tried to restore order, he did nothing to calm the situation,” Kunde said.
The commissioner further criticized Ikpagher’s demeanour as unbecoming of a public official, questioning his decorum and legislative contributions.
“He often associates with questionable individuals and fails to uphold the respect expected of an honorable member,” Kunde remarked.
In contrast, he commended the conduct of other dignitaries present, including Senator Barnabas Gemade, Hon. Mathias Byuan, Senator Emmanuel Udende, and General Atom Kpera (Rtd), noting their dignified comportment.
Responding to rumours that he acted on Governor Hyacinth Alia’s orders to block Ikpagher’s attendance, Kunde denied the allegations, calling them defamatory.
“The governor is a peace-loving leader who would never sanction such actions. These claims are fabrications by paid social media agents,” he said.
Ikpagher’s media aide, Mr. Manasseh Gwater, however, accused Kunde of physically confronting the lawmaker at the event, alleging that he was backed by political thugs.
Gwater also claimed the group later celebrated at the Government House in Makurdi. He referenced past incidents involving Senator Udende and Hon. Byuan, though their aides, Mr. Jerry Iorngaem and Mr. Emmanuel Iorbe, denied any such confrontations involving their principals.
Kunde released a video showing security personnel dispersing unruly supporters with tear gas, asserting it as proof of his non-involvement. He vowed not to be distracted by what he termed “malicious propaganda.”
Amid rising tensions, civil society organizations have called for restraint, urging leaders to exemplify decorum, particularly at sensitive communal events.
