House of Representatives member, Mr. Terseer Ugbor, has faulted the story making the round that he diverted palliatives meant for his constituents in Kwande/Ushongo local councils of Benue state.

The lawmaker accused those behind such talks as his political adversaries bent on tarnishing his hard earned image and reputation.

“Accusations that the palliatives were unloaded at a private residence are unfounded, as the truck was parked in front of a well-known warehouse in Makurdi, not in a clandestine location,” he said.

He urges the people of Kwande/Ushongo to remain resilient and peaceful during these difficult times, remembering the words of Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Ugbor threatened to slam a N1 billion defamation suit on perpetrators of the act.

While attending the United Nations General Assembly in the USA, Ugbor learnt that Governor Hyacinth Alia had confiscated and handed over in Makurdi a truckload of relief materials to anti-graft agencies, which he secured for his constituents from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for investigation by operatives of the EFCC and ICPC.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, says the “truck was caught offloading relief materials meant for IDPs of the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency at a private residence in Makurdi.”

According to Tersoo Kula, “It was later discovered that the goods were released from a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse in Jos, and were supposed to be sponsored by the state government and lifted by the State Emergency Management Agency.”

The statement quotes Governor Alia, who ordered the impounding of the truck at Government House as expressing dissatisfaction with the findings and directed anti-graft agencies to carry out further investigation, even as he called on relevant officials to ensure that the materials were distributed to the rightful recipients.

However , Ugbor, who vowed to defend his reputation and ensure the aid reaches those in need, urged his constituents to stay strong and peaceful.

“In light of this development, I have instructed my legal team to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard my reputation and set the record straight in court.

“My support for the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced individuals in Kwande is not a new endeavour, yet it has seemingly provoked the governor’s displeasure.”

He notes that as a legislator, his duty is to help secure benefits for his constituents, adding that “in any other state, my efforts would have been acknowledged with gratitude.”