The former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has decried the insinuation that Sen. George Akume is not the political leader of Benue State, reiterating that Sen. Akume is indisputable leader of Benue politics whose whims and caprices are the roots of every successful politician in Benue State since 1999.
He called on Benue people to remain resilient in supporting the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) and challenged them not to be cajoled into believing that Sen. Akume is not the political leader of the state because irrespective of political divides, Akume is instrumental to every leadership in Benue State since the return of democracy in Nigeria.
Dr. Ortom gave this charge in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on the occasion of his 63rd birthday anniversary.
As a former Governor and the man in the league of those who would know where the shoes tweak the more, Dr. Ortom called on Benue people to give maximum support to Governor Alia to succeed but also charged Dr. Alia to provide a congenial environment suitable enough for the citizenry to support him.
“The governor alone cannot do this; it requires all of us to support him. If called upon, I will give the necessary support to make things work. We all have a responsibility to pray and advise our leaders,” he said.
In the words of the former Governor; ‘let us support the SGF, let us support Governor Alia, he is the one God has brought at this time. Elections are over, litigations are over, now is governance. We must support him, but he too must allow us to support him.’
According to him, Benue State belongs to Benue citizens irrespective of political differences and all Benue citizens must put hands on the plough to make Benue State great saying, ‘if there is no Benue, we cannot contest 2027, so we are all stakeholders.’
But Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, on Friday asked his predecessors to refrain from interfering in his administration, saying that they have had their own term.
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The governor gave the warning while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital after his return from United States of America.
According to him; “I can’t allow anyone whether a former governor or Civil Servant. If you are a former governor and you have nothing to contribute to Benue, shut up. You had your term you went through it, allow the administration to work.
“You did your part and if you are in the state, know exactly what you are saying. Criticisms are welcomed but verify your facts.
“I have been away in the last eight days to sell the image of the state and clearly, it is a battered image.
“In the past, Benue wasn’t even at the national radar. It’s going to be a place where other states will come to learn, emulate and take back to their states.
“Farmers are getting back to farm in Gwer West, Gwer East, Guma and Makurdi among others are enjoying relative peace.
“Those of us at the home front must do our best. Each person is a security personnel and it must go beyond seeing something and saying something.
“Don’t let anybody buy you off to sell your people; don’t let anyone cow you to sell off your land. Cooperate with the security agencies to give us their best.
“The uniform people are here with us and for us. If someone wants to use you to steal cows or to cause mischief, tell them to bring back their children to take part or to be at the front
“If we get to know of such in any community the person will face the music. Our people cannot settle for less. I’m a man of peace and I am poised to bringing peace in the state.
“I don’t want to stop at paying salaries or paying arrears, we have gone ahead to start employment.
“Whoever has called the Benue youth thugs should withdraw that statement. The youths of the state have suffered in the past, and we won’t want anyone to picket them,” the governor said.
