The Pan - Bassa Coalition of Chiefs, elders and youth from all parts of the country have paid a thank you visit to Governor Adamu in Lafia. The Bassa who congregated from the various states of location were led by their 1st Class traditional ruler from Kogi, Mr. Joseph D. Kpongbo.

The visit was necessitated by the landmark achievements of Governor Adamu in resettling the Bassa after the ethnic clashes of 1996 to 1997 which saw to the wholesome uprooting of the Bassa from their ancestral homes by the Egburra ethnic militia. For about five years, the Bassa were rendered refugees by the Egburra who refused them from returning to their homes. However, with the ascension into office of Governor Adamu, he organized a peace meeting between the Bassa and Egburra which eventually saw the deployment of the army and subsequent return of the Bassa to their headquarters of Ugya. For this reason, the Bassa came together to say thank you to Governor Adamu for salvaging them from the hands of exterminators.

A second reason for their visit, according to the Bassa Spokesman, Hon Daniel Tukura, was to urge Governor Adamu to contest the 2007 presidential election. According to the Pa Tukura, “with God as our banner, we urge you to contest the 2007 presidential elections”.

Responding, Governor Adamu urge to Bassa people to know that there was still a lot of ground to cover in the struggle for self determination. He told them to struggle very well and consolidate on the gains already achieved in their bid to fully resettle in their homes. Governor Adamu told them that as a custodian of the constitution, he was duty bound to protect the week and downtrodden, as was the case with the Bassa. He therefore told them that he appreciated their visit and would continue to protect them.

On the call for him to contest the 2007 presidential election, he said that his Party, the PDP was undergoing reform and that when it was over, the whistle would be blown for potential candidates to indicate their interest in the contest. He therefore wanted to wait for this time before making his position known. If it was God’s will, he opined, he will contest. He however thanked the Bassa people for coming from all parts of the country to urge him to contest.

In the Bassa delegation that visited Government House were Member of House of Representative, Isaac Jimba, political office holders from across the Bassa race, party leaders, chiefs, women leaders and elders.