Pastor Akpen Leva – Benue CAN Chairman
In the recent past there has been pockets of communal clashes in Benue State some of which include Tsambe/Mbagwaza, Shorov/Kusuv, Ukum/Tongov, Mbasombo, Tyomu clashes among others. These have claimed lives and condemned properties in hundreds of millions. This has prompted the concerns of some prominent sons and daughters of Benue State. One of such is Rev. Pastor Akpen Leva, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Benue state chapter. The clergy expressed displeasure over the communal clashes. He said conflict is not a solution in settling dispute, but rather should always channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters for settlement. Rev. Akpen Leva
condemned the crisis in totality that “there is no benefit taking up arms against your fellow brother whom you have lived together for many years all in the name of land dispute.”
The CAN Chairman admonished Christians to see in the case of Abraham and his brother Lot, who used dialogue to settle their land dispute for peace to reign in Genesis 13: 8-12. He was emphatic that majority of the people involved in these crises are Christians since Benue state is a Christian owned sate.
The Reverend gentleman was saddened sadness at the level of destruction caused by these avoidable communal feuds which has brought untold hardship and infrastructural setback in the state. He admonished religious leaders to continue to preach peace, love and harmony to their followers. He also stressed the role of traditional rulers in containing clashes. However the clergyman said envy, jealousy and political differences are the causes of communal clashes.
Finally he advised all Christians in Benue state to pray fervently to God in their respective homes and adhere to the directives by experts and government to end the Coronavirus pandemic. He was quick to add that only the
living worship God and not the dead.
In a stakeholders meeting of 18th May, 2020, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom sued for peace from all irrespective of political or social affiliations. Some traditional rulers were arrested, others suspended on the orders of the Chief Security Officer of the state for their involvement in the clashes variously. In attendance were Senators George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, Emmanuel Orker Jev, House of Representatives Members of Tiv extraction, State Assembly members of Tiv Local government chairmen of Tiv extraction. Others were the paramount ruler of Tiv Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, Tor Tiv V and his subordinate chiefs and many other Benue illustrious sons across demographic differences.
The Christian community was led at the peace meeting by Rev. Akpen Leva and the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe. The meeting, first of its kind in Benue has brought back normalcy to the affected communities, with farming activities going on unperturbed. It is the expectation of all that the peace atmosphere will be sustained, for development of the rural economy in Benue State.
