Posted by This Day Online on
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from Kwande Local Government, Mrs Patricia Ioranongo, yestersday, accused thugs suspected to be members of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, (ANPP), of murdering her husband, Mr. Fidelis Ioranongo.
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from Kwande Local Government, Mrs Patricia Ioranongo, yestersday, accused thugs suspected to be members of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, (ANPP), of murdering her husband, Mr. Fidelis Ioranongo.
Testifying before the Justice Kazeem Alogba Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing political disturbances in Kwande/Ukum Local government areas of Benue State, Mrs Ioranongo said her husband was shot and killed at Ude, in Ikov ward of Ushongo Local Governent area of Benue state on May 13, this year.
She said the deceased had gone to Ude to assess the damage done to his father's house when the attackers stormed the compound in a pick-up van, and ordered him to surrender the keys of a new Honda motorcycle he rode to the place after which they shot him.
According to her, the gunmen may have killed Ioranongo to get the motorcycle, which she said belonged to Chief Ambrose Iortyer, a traditional ruler.
Answering a question from Mr Vincent Uji, PDP Counsel, Mrs Ioranongo said she would not be surprised if council polls did not take place in Kwande, as most parts of the local government were embroiled in violence, especially in Turan area.
She admitted that people suspected to be ANPP militia attacked and killed five PDP members on the eve of the polls, and an official of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission the following day, and burnt down several houses in the area.
The witness suggested that salaries of political office holders and other pecks of office be made less attractive, in order to avoid the situation where election become a do or die affair and also requested that the benefits of her late husband who was a teacher, be paid.