In the last few days, the social media space in Benue South Senatorial District has been awash with a trending list of proposed new states in the country. The story has it that over 20 new states have been approved by the federal government and the proposed Apa State is missing.
While the report is unathenticated and a figment of the writer’s imagination, we found, to our amusement, that the same persons who, a few weeks ago, strongly criticized the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro PhD for his harmless announcement of his efforts towards the creation of the proposed Apa State are the ones crying hoarse and lamenting the absence of Apa State in the purported list.
We wonder what, exactly, those people want. They were critical of the senator for doing what other lawmakers were doing, proposing the creation of Apa State claiming that states’ creation in a civilian regime is an impossibility, yet they are the ones quickly calling out the same senator and making mockery of him for an imagined failure to influence the inclusion of Apa State in the list.
For the sake of the unsuspecting populace of Benue South that may be misled and misinformed by those pessimists, we wish to state that the said list is unofficial and is not a true reflection of what’s transpiring at the National Assembly.
Senator Moro is not deterred by anybody or group of persons, and will continue to do what he knows is good for Benue South. He and his colleagues in the house of representatives, members of the state house of assembly and members of the local government executive council of all the Nine local government areas in Benue South have met the necessary requirements, pursuant to Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and forwarded same to the National Assembly Committees for the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which have since captured the request. Find attached documents.
The good people of Benue South must note that if proposed states are considered for creation by the current government, Apa State will not be missing. Senator Moro is on top of the situation and will ensure that what’s due to the senatorial district gets to it.
Let doomsayers and purveyors of pessimism know that in the purpose of God no community is insignificant, no less Benue South Senatorial District. When and if states are to be created, Apa State will stand to be counted.
Elected representatives are held accountable not by casting aspersions on them and name-calling but by asking them questions, for who asks questions seeks to know.
We enjoin the good people of Benue South to continue to believe in their senator, support and pray for him for wisdom and guidance. He will continue to give them a voice on the floor of the senate.
Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John,
Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader
20/01/2025