The Benue
State Government has slammed the presidency over the recent statement which
criticised Governor, Samuel Ortom for demanding a state of emergency on
security.
Recall that Governor Ortom had on Tuesday, called on President Buhari to
immediately convene a National Security Summit to discuss and address the
worsening security situation in the country.
The
governor had made the call while addressing protesting youths at Abagena
village where Fulani militiamen killed seven persons and injured many others
during a midnight attack on Monday.
Reacting, the presidency, in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu on Thursday, faulted Governor Ortom’s call for the president to be proactive in curbing the deteriorating security situation in the state.
According
to Garba Shehu, Buhari was disappointed and sad over the comments of Governor
Samuel Ortom, while reacting to the numerous killings in the state.
However,
the Benue State Government via a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s
Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said Ortom deserves to be commended for
his actions.
The
statement reads: “We read the statement in which he said President Muhammadu
Buhari had expressed “his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the
Governor of Benue State made a litany of accusations against his person and his
government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state”.
”Shehu was
referring to Governor Ortom’s clarion call on the President to act decisively
and in an unbiased manner to end the spate of killings by Fulani herdsmen in
Benue and other parts of the country.
“We are
convinced that Mr President was not aware that his aide Shehu made such a
statement on his behalf. The media aide didn’t speak for the President in the
said statement. President Buhari wouldn’t have approved such a reckless and insensitive
press release.
“What is
wrong with Governor Ortom’s call on the President to address the nation,
convene a national security summit and declare a state of emergency on
security, following the spate of killings taking place in Benue and the remaining
states of the federation?
“Governor
Ortom is not the only one who is worried by the worsening security situation in
the country and has called on the President to rise to his responsibilities by
declaring a state of emergency on security and convening a summit to address
the numerous security challenges bedevilling the nation. Many other Nigerians
of good conscience have at different times made similar calls. What the
Governor therefore deserves is commendation and not condemnation.
“If Garba
Shehu claims that the President is disappointed in the Benue State Governor for
speaking against the sustained attacks on his people, we wonder how he feels
about the killings in North East, North West, South East, South West and other
parts of the North Central. Are those killings occurring of the comments of
Governors of the affected states?
“It is
shocking that Shehu would make a statement regarding an attack carried out by
Fulani herdsmen and there won’t be a single sentence of reproach directed at
the violent Fulani herders. Such a deliberate omission smacks of complicity and
tacit support for the killer herders.
“Shehu is
aware that Governor Ortom has on several occasions raised alarm against
activities of the rampaging herdsmen whose sole aim is to take over the
ancestral lands of Benue people and other Nigerians. The Governor has written
letters to the Federal Government and made other spirited efforts to have the
government at the centre take preventive measures against further attacks on
Benue communities.
“The
Federal Government has repeatedly ignored such patriotic calls, insisting rather
that cattle routes of the 1950s be opened to grant easy passage to the
pastoralists and their animals.
“The
posture of the Federal Government has made many Nigerians conclude that it is
complicit and its inaction has emboldened the armed herdsmen to cause greater
havoc across the country.
“The
President is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The job of a Governor is
to support security agencies to perform their duties, and this, Governor Ortom
has done efficiently to the admiration of many Nigerians.
“When
President Buhari gave a shoot on sight order to security agencies against
persons bearing AK47, Governor Ortom was one of the first to support the
presidential directive. The Minister of Defence came out a few weeks later to
counter the President’s order and we expected a reaction from the Presidency
but till this minute, no such reaction has been heard.
“What
Garba Shehu ought to know is that Governor Ortom has no personal grudge against
the President. The Governor is only being patriotic by calling for justice,
equity, fairness and above all the rule of law. He expects the President to be
the leader of every Nigerian and treat all as his people”.
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