A former governorship aspirant in Benue State, Barr. Emmanuel Jime, has accused Barr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, of engaging in “bad politics” following the alleged dismissal of 13 Benue youths from the Council.
Jime levelled the allegation on Saturday, February 28, 2026, during the 2026 Buruku Day celebration. He claimed the affected youths were among those whose employment at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council he had personally facilitated. According to him, their disengagement was politically motivated and targeted at undermining his influence and support base in the area.
The former lawmaker described the action—if confirmed—as detrimental to youth empowerment and inclusive governance, warning that political differences should never be allowed to jeopardise the livelihoods of young professionals in public service. He called for fairness, transparency, and accountability in the administration of public institutions, stressing that merit and competence should always take precedence over partisan considerations.
As of the time of this report, Barr. Akutah had not responded to the allegations. The development has triggered widespread reactions among political stakeholders in Benue, particularly in Buruku Local Government Area, where observers have urged calm and restraint as the situation continues to unfold.
The incident has reignited discussions on the intersection of politics and public sector employment in the state, with many calling for institutional safeguards to protect workers from reprisals stemming from political rivalries.
