A former governorship candidate in Benue State, Mike Mku, on Friday, said that the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, assaulted him at the wedding ceremony of the son of Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse.
Mku, who contested the governorship election with Akume in 1999 and 2003, in a statement signed by him, alleged that the minister assaulted him without provocation.
The minister, however, denied attacking his political rival, saying that the allegation was a “blatant lie and totally unfounded.”
Mku, a former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, in the statement, said that the minister approached a table where he sat and after he was done exchanging pleasantries with others, hit his chest and also instructed his security aides to push him out of the way.
“Senator Akume physically and violently assaulted me at the wedding of son to Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, last Saturday in Makurdi.
“The incident took place where I and a number of other Tiv sons sat at the wedding reception. I shared a table with Chiefs Edward Ashiekaa, Joseph Zendesha, Jime Akaakar, Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, Dr. Philip Zegetar Iyortyer and some others.
“The minister approached our table and we all stood up to exchange pleasantries with him. However, when he got to me, and I made to shake hands with him, he shoved me aside.
“He also ordered his security detail to take me out of his sight as he angrily pointed a finger in my face. At this point, I told the security man not to come near me before those around us moved in and appealed to Senator Akume. They eventually took him away from the event,” he said.
In 1998, Mku and Akume contested the PDP governorship primaries, but Akume won. In 2003, both emerged governorship candidates of two political parties. For the senatorial district election, Akume also defeated Mku.
Mku, who is presently the chairman of board of Benue Property and Investment Company, said that he had reported the matter to the Tiv traditional council.
However, Senator Akume has described Mku’s claim as “false and unfounded.”
Reacting through his media aide, Dr Aondona Mkor, the minister said what Mku said about the minister was a complete and blatant lie and should be ignored.
“Chief Mku should know that other people were there. What Mku said is mischievous and an act of blackmail against the minister.
“The minister did not slap him or assault him. The minister went to the event in his capacity as minister and there was no such incident at that occasion.
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