- Governor Samuel Ortom was recently scolded by the Buhari Media Organisation for accusing Terwase Akwaza of destabilising communities in Benue
- Terwase has been declared wanted by the security agencies for his role in the insecurity in Benue state
- The governor's spokesman has replied the organisation, accusing its officials of using Ortom's name to seek jobs
Governor Samuel Ortom, through his chief press secretary, Terver Akase, has replied the Buhari Media Organization (BMO), after the pro-Buhari group accused him of insincerity in handling Benue state security challenges.
Akase in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Monday, May 20, accused BMO officials of using Ortom's name to seek jobs.
He said having failed in their bid to oust Ortom through the electoral process, the BMO and other All Progressives Congress (APC) groups have resorted to shameless lies to tarnish the governor's reputation.
He further said the BMO is a group without any known base, describing the leaders of the pro-Buhari group as political jobbers looking for appointments.
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Part of the statement read: “We are not in any way surprised to read such comments from the Buhari Media Organization. The latest outing of the group is only part of the blame-the-victim strategy employed by enemies of Benue state from within and outside the state, who, having failed in their bid to oust Governor Ortom through the electoral process, have resorted to shameless lies to tarnish his reputation.
“Now is the season in which political jobbers such as Niyi Akinsiju and Casiddy Madueke are jostling for appointments from the presidency, and one of the ways to curry favour is to launch unprovoked attacks on Governor Ortom so they will be seen as 'hardworking and deserving' of appointments.
“The Buhari Media Organzization was not only confused about what to write in the hurriedly published statement but also made a jest of its name with the unfounded allegations regarding the Benue state security situation.
“For the information of the group, Fulani pastoralists under different names such as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal H*re, Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association, as well as Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM have all confirmed that indeed the Benue attacks were carried out by their members who claimed that their livestock were rustled.
“In their bending over backwards to impress their sponsors, the BMO erroneously stated that Terwase Akwaza was Governor Ortom's aide. Mr Akwaza, also known as Gana had at no time been appointed as an aide to the governor. He was a key beneficiary of the amnesty programme initiated by the Ortom administration.
“However, the very moment he reneged and was accused of having a hand in the killing of the governor's former security aide, Denen Igbana, the police declared him wanted and the state government immediately placed a reward of N20 million for anyone with information that could lead to his arrest. The reward still stands.”
Akase said Governor Ortom had discussed the state's amnesty programme with President Muhammadu Buhari before it was granted.
He noted that when Gana went back to his old ways, Governor Ortom did not shield him, rather the state security council of which he is chairman authorized several expeditions to his hideout in order to arrest him.
He continued: “What the Buhari Media Organization refused to include in their statement was the fact that leader of APC in Benue state, Senator George Akume visited Gbishe, Gana's village and reportedly met with him before the 2019 elections.
“It is believed that he solicited the services of the gangster to help APC in rigging the elections. With Gana's support the APC rigged the presidential, governorship and state assembly elections in Katsina-Ala local government area. Their action is being challenged at the tribunal.
“We are aware of the sustained campaign to change the narrative that Benue people are killing themselves. But what the desperation of those behind the campaign cannot change is the truth that Benue people, other Nigerians and indeed the international community know that Fulani herdsmen militia have been responsible for the invasion and attacks on hundreds of children, women and aged people across Benue and several states across the country.
“Yet, Governor Ortom has also never hidden the fact that there are other criminal elements in some parts of the state, (like any other state) who are responsible for cases of kidnappings, assassinations, robberies, cultism and other criminal activities. The Benue state government has not failed to deal decisively with the situation as witnessed in the governor's recent declaration of crackdown on criminals.
“Governor Ortom is a peace-loving man who has demonstrated courage and determination in defending his people and has no reason to use criminals for whatever purpose. This current campaign of calumny against the governor will fail as all the previous ones.
“We advise the Buhari Media Organization that elections are over. Now is time for governance, so they should allow those given the mandate of leading the people to concentrate on their duties.
“Sponsors of the group ought to find a decent way for its members to lobby for jobs from the presidency instead of allowing them to wallow in character assassination, and deliberate distortion of facts as we have seen in their published statement.”
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Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has debunked media reports suggesting that he is on his way back to the APC, saying he has no reason or plans to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
Governor Ortom made the clarification via a statement sent to Legit.ng by Akase on Tuesday, May 14.
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