Inspiring stories of Benue leaders

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State recently celebrated his birthday, joining the list of democratically elected governors of the state with inspiring stories, people who rose from humble backgrounds to stardom against all odds.

Aper Aku, the first civilian governor of Benue State, after a decent life in public service, was managing his private business in Gboko.

Aku was the first chairman of Kwande Local Government. He was elected governor of Benue State in October 1979 and re-elected in October 1983, leaving office after the military coup of December 1983 which brought General Mohammadu Buhari to power.

Under his leadership, Benue soared to heights that have become the yardstick for leadership in the state.

The story of Reverend Father Moses Adasu is no less inspiring. With a background as a Catholic priest, he joined politics and won the 1993 gubernatorial election to become the second civilian governor of the state.

He was also at some point a Senior Inspector of Education at the state Ministry of Education, Makurdi.

George Akume, a holder of a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan, rose from the lowest rungs of the state’s civil service to the apex of ladder as a permanent secretary.

In 1999, at return of democratic rule, he contested and won the gubernatorial election to become the third civilian governor of Benue State and served for two terms.

In 1999, Gabriel Suswam, a young lawyer, contested and won the Katsina-ala/Ukum/Logo House of Representatives seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

With his charm, charisma and determination, Suswam had all the ingredients of a good politician and there was every reason to believe that the young man will go very far.

After eight years at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, in April 2007, Suswam was elected governor of Benue State, succeeding Dr George Akume.

From an obscure background, nobody gave him any chance to succeed but he was not perturbed by whatever life threw at him.

Due to the untimely demise of his father who was largely the breadwinner of the family, young Ortom dropped out of school.

He then rose through the ranks to become a driver and then a salesman. His political story has been no less inspiring.

He was elected local government chairman in 1993 at the age of 33. He rose through the political ranks to become National Auditor of the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He later became a minister, then resigned to contest and win the 2015 gubernatorial election to become the fifth democratically-elected governor of Benue State.

However, side by side these stories is the uninspiring story of Benue State.

Dr. Usha Anenga

Makurdi, Benue State