Tension In Benue Council Over Chieftaincy Event

There is tension in Ugba, headquarters of Logo local government area of Benue State following the stoppage of a planned chieftaincy reception for a governorship aspirant, Prof. Sebastine Hon (SAN).

Hon, a legal practitioner, was invited by the Ugondu Traditional Council to be honoured during the Ugondu Day celebration in recognition of his contributions to social justice, according to the organisers.

Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated shortly after Hon and his entourage arrived at the residence of the Mue Ter Ichongo, Chief Terngu Iorhuna, where the ceremony was scheduled to take place.

The chairman of the council, Mr Clement Kav, later arrived at the venue alongside a former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and 2011 governorship candidate, Prof. Steve Ugba.

Reports indicated that the chairman objected to the presence of Prof. Hon at the event and directed that the programme should not proceed.

Following the development, Prof. Hon left the palace and proceeded to the residence of Hon. Iorkohol Ijir, where community members reportedly welcomed him.

However, the council chairman, accompanied by security personnel, including police officers, later arrived at the location and asked Prof. Hon to leave Ugba.

Addressing residents who had gathered, Prof. Hon said his visit was peaceful and not intended to cause any disturbance.

He thanked the traditional council and the people of Logo for the invitation and said he decided to leave to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

“I have not come to cause trouble or disrupt the peace of the community,” he said, adding that the honour could be formally presented to him at a later date.

The incident has generated reactions among residents and on social media, with differing views expressed over the stoppage of the ceremony and its possible political implications ahead of the 2027 elections.

As at press time, the Logo local government council had not issued an official statement on the incident, while the Benue State Government was also yet to react.

Security agencies in the area were said to have restored calm, and no casualties were reported.