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Atiku’s camp lambasts Ortom, says ex-VP will unite Nigeria
A support group of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Support Organisation, said Atiku Abubakar would unite Nigeria and be President for all Nigerians if voted in as President in the 2023 elections.
The ASO made this assertion in response to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom’s comment that Atiku is an agent of Miyetti Allah.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Victor Moses, the ASO stated that Ortom’s comment was “to say the least, most unfortunate, disappointing, and a misinformation.”
The statement, which was titled, ‘Atiku will be President for all Nigerians – Atiku Support Organisation – ASO tells Gov Samuel Ortom’, added that Ortom had in the past said kind words about the former vice president and his vision to build Nigeria and asserted that Ortom’s latest comment “only suggest(s) a deliberate act of campaign of calumny, misinformation, and misrepresentation of the important values of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”
The statement partly read, “The statement made by Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue stating that Atiku Abubakar is an agent of Miyetti Allah is, to say the least, most unfortunate, disappointing, and a misinformation.
“It is on record that Gov Samuel Ortom had, in the past, said a lot of great and kind words about Alh. Atiku Abubakar and his vision to rebuild Nigeria. Due to Atiku Abubakar’s love and commitment to the Tiv nation, he was crowned the Zege Mule U Tiv. To hear Gov Ortom speaking from the other side of his mouth due to a post-primary conundrum only suggest a deliberate act of campaign of calumny, misinformation, and misrepresentation of the important values of Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
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“If there is any Nigerian politician in the 21st century who values Nigerians beyond our ethnic and religious fault lines, it’s Atiku Abubakar.
“If there is any who has built bridges across the divide, it’s the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
“If there is any whose chief mission is to unite Nigeria and give every religion and tribe a sense of belonging for national rebirth and development, it’s Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
“His plans to revamp the national security system for effectiveness and efficiency have been clearly stated in his covenant with the people of this country. He has made it clear that there won’t be a sacred cow in his fight against insecurity.”
The ASO, therefore, asked Governor Ortom to withdraw his statement and disengage from campaign of calumny, while asking the Benue governor to support Atiku in the general election.
It stated, “We call on our respected Gov Samuel Ortom to rescind his statement, disengage from the campaign of calumny and misinformation against the presidential candidate of his own party, the PDP and support the son of the Tiv land, the Zege Mule U Tiv in the forthcoming elections in February.”
October 27, 2022
2023 Presidency: Gov Ortom Publicly Withdraws Support For Atiku
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday, appeared to have withdrawn support for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Ortom accused Atiku of denigrating him as governor and working against the interest of the people of Benue.
The Benue State governor seemed to have been angered by Atiku’s comments on the recent killings by suspected herdsmen in his state.
Recall that Atiku appeared to have justified the recent killings in Benue State by Fulani herders when he said that the condemnable acts were due to “sustained clashes between farmers and herders.”
His comments are coming on the heels of the elder statesmen in Benue, Minda Leaders of Thoughts’, withdrawal of support for Atiku, accusing him of hate speech and profiling of Benue people.
However, Governor Ortom accused Atiku of working with Miyetti Allah, a herdsmen group notoriously known for carrying out outrageous killings.
“It was not correct for a presidential candidate who is seeking to rule the people to say that kind of thing.
“It was very wrong. And it would appear that he doesn’t even reference me and consider me to be a Governor of my state,” he said
October 25, 2022
Gov Ortom Backs Impeachment Threat Against Buhari
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has backed the impeachment threat issued against President Muhammadu Buhari over widespread insecurity across the country.
Recall that some members of the national assembly issued a six-week ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to step up the fight against insecurity or risk being impeached.
Ortom who supported the lawmakers’ action, said it’s long overdue. His Chief Press Secretary Nath Ikyur disclosed that he gave the commendation on Friday July 29, when he received a delegation of some members of the National Assembly led by Aduda who came to brief him.
The Benue Governor described the threat of the Senate and the House of Representatives PDP caucuses to impeach the President as “patriotic” and particularly commended some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC who have opted to do the ‘right thing’.
Ortom stressed that Buhari has performed far below expectations of Nigerians in solving both the security and economic challenges of the nation. .
July 30, 2022
BNSG Pledges to Implement Full Promotion of Teachers as they Protest Non Payment of their Salaries
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Government has expressed its willingness to Implement full promotion of primary school teachers in the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom gave this assurance on Tuesday when he was addressing some teachers who registered their protest at the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, to press home for payment of their salaries.
The Governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kenneth Achabo, explained that the situation was due to the shortfall from the Federation Account, assuring that his office was collaborating with SUBEB towards finding solution to the matter.
According to the Governor, government is to ensure that all genuine teachers would be paid their entitlements as soon as possible.
Also speaking the Executive Secretary of SUBEB, Mr Joseph Ortse posited that the board was aware of the said issues, stressing that he had already directed that the affected teachers should be paid.
He contended that the committee set up by government to Implement the promotion of teachers have taken note of the disparities, stating that efforts were on to address them.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Benue State Wing, Mr Levi Akuma assured the affected members to remain calm, averring that the committee is stepping up efforts to address their demands.
Earlier in his address, leader of the group, Mr Elijah Kpenwuan, pointed out that their visit to the board was to register their complain about omission of their names during payment of salaries.
April 19, 2022
Gov. Ortom-led committee returns peace to Edo PDP
The crisis that engulfed the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been finally resolved.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who is also the Chairman of the committee set up by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP, disclosed this to journalists, Wednesday, at the end of a meeting that lasted more than six hours, with the warring parties at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The PDP had on March 16th, 2022, at its 95th NEC meeting constituted a three-member reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis in the Edo State chapter of the party.
The committee has Governor Ortom as chairman, while Governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Bala Mohammed and Dairus Ishaku of Delta, Bauchi and Taraba States, respectively are members.
Members of the committee and the warring factions in the Edo crises were beaming with smiles as they stepped out of the meeting hall at about midnight.
Governor Ortom, who was flanked by members of the committee, as well as Governor Godwin Obaseki and Chief Dan Orbih made brief remarks to journalists on the outcome of the prolonged meeting.
He said: “As you are aware, the National Executive Committee of our great party put us together to resolve the issues in Edo State; and successfully by the grace of God, we have resolved all the issues and are going back to Edo State as one PDP. No more factions, no more disagreement. And by the grace of God, we are sure that it shall be well in Edo State”
Others who were present at the meeting included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih; Senators and members of House of Representatives from Edo State, as well as the Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi.
April 7, 2022
2023: Aspirants To Lock Horns As PDP Throws Presidential Ticket Open
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its presidential ticket for the 2023 election open, abandoning zoning, which has generated heated controversy in recent times.
Stakeholders of the party had taken different positions on zoning, with Iyioricha Ayu, National Chairman of the party, said had come to stay.
Last week, a meeting of the PDP zoning committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State ended without a definite outcome.
However, on Tuesday, the 37-member committee met for over three hours, after which they said recommendations had been sent to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
But sources told Daily Trust that the committee affirmed that even though zoning is part of the party’s constitution, it decided to throw open the presidential contest due to exigency of time and the fact that they are in the opposition.
The source said “Our Party was encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms. So that aspirants can know their fate.”
The committee was also said to have commended the contestants who have chosen to unite themselves and work for a consensus candidate.
Already, 13 presidential aspirants have purchased the presidential forms.
A member of the committee from the North had said more than half of the committee members have keyed into the zero zoning arrangement to enable all aspirants to participate in the primary exercise during which a presidential candidate will emerge.
“It is too late to stop aspirants from contesting and because our ultimate goal is to win, the majority of us have agreed that the race be thrown open to all. We are going for a zero-zoning arrangement.”
“The polity of today requires a national leader that is going to reinvigorate the cohesion and unity of the country. What Nigeria needs is not a zonal president, what we need is a Nigerian president. And, therefore, we are throwing it (contest) open,” he had said.
The source said Ortom apologised when his neutrality was questioned over his endorsement of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and zoning of the presidency to the South.
“He apologised saying that he was misquoted. It was at this point that it was resolved that henceforth, members of the committee should not speak to the press,” he said.
While hosting Wike in Makurdi, Benue State capital, recently, Ortom had said “On southern presidency I stand.”
The claim of the founding member was corroborated by another member of the committee, who said the work of the committee was almost concluded.
“We have reached a resolution but we decided to make further consultations. We have reached a midcourse that all aspirants should ‘market’ themselves,” he said.
April 6, 2022
2023 Guber: If Consensus Fails, Aspirants Would test their Popularity in Free, Fair Primary, says Gov Ortom
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says the People’s Democratic party, PDP, in the state will allow Aspirants vying for Governorship position to test their Popularity during party primary if consensus arrangement fails.
The Governor disclosed this at the Government House Makurdi, during which the G9 and G14 who are coordinating and negotiating emergence of a consensus candidate presented report to him.
He contended that Aspirants on the platform of the PDP were eminently qualified, stressing further that they have the constitutional rights to contest any position they desire.
Governor Ortom maintained that the consensus arrangement has become a child of necessity in the interest of the party, adding however that even with the consensus the party was constitutionally bound to conduct its primaries in line with the electoral guide lines.
Ortom noted that zoning of the Governorship wasn’t an imposition but a decision and agreement by Aspirants which the party adopted and implored party members to disregard any rumor in that regard.
Investigation by Day Break indicated that some of the Gubernatorial Hopefuls aren’t comfortable with the consensus arrangement and have since bought expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the aforementioned position.
It was learned that Governor Samuel Ortom’s alleged candidate, his former Chief of Staff, Hon Terwase Orbunde was zoned out of the contest via consensus arrangement.
It could be recalled that thirty Governorship Aspirants in the state on the platform of the, PDP are currently vying for the plum position.
April 5, 2022
NECO Registrar, Obioma was Murdered– Ortom Insist
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed sadness over the death of Professor Godswill Obioma, the National Examinations Council (NECO) Registrar.
There is confusion over the cause of death due to conflicting accounts of his final moments.
Nigerians have called for an inquiry and urged federal authorities to order an independent autopsy.
On Wednesday, Ortom lamented that Obioma, an ex-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Commissioner in Ebonyi, was murdered.
He was reacting to the assasination of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Christopher Dega, his Senior Special Assistant on Security.
“Retired AIG Dega served with me here. This is someone who has retired but is not tired and is still active.
“For him to have been murdered in the manner that they did…a retired AIG gunned!”
“Then Professor Obioma, can you imagine? A whole Professor just killed in that manner. Look at what is happening.”
The Benue helmsman reiterated his declaration that the government had failed.
“It is unfortunate, these killings are unwarranted. If (only) the government were ready to listen to superior ideas, advise, and be proactive.
“I’m part of the government, I cannot run away from it. I can equally say we have failed.
“The primary responsibility of any government is to provide security for lives and property.
“If there is no security, nothing meaningful can thrive. There can be no development.
“Nobody will create industries or bring investment to Nigeria. No economic activities can go on, everybody will be afraid”, Ortom said.
June 3, 2021
Benue indigenes in diaspora underscore Buhari over attacks on Ortom
..Praises late Shagari, Yar’adua regimes
By Gabriel, Udeh, Kaduna
Benue diaspora group, under the umbrella of Proactive Association of Benue Indigenes (PROABI) Kaduna chapter, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari, over assassination attempt on the Governor Samuel Ortom,
The association, in a press statement issued in kaduna Thursday and signed by its President Comrade Moses Margaret Aji, stated that the assassination attempts on the governor and the killings in Benue State were due to severe hatred Buhari had on the people and government of Benue state.
Lamenting, the body recalled that, armed Fulani attacked and Killied over seventy people in Benue state in 2018, adding that, 48 hours after mass burial, the miyetti Allah issued out a threat, telling the people to expect more blood shed in the state.
PROABI noted that Ortom’s assassinated attempt was claimed by Fulani body known as Fulani nationalist movement (FUNAM) and also gave reasons for the attac,k, adding that they represented 15 countries of the world.
“President, Proactive association of Benue indigenes, Comrade Moses Margaret Aji, on behalf of the association condemned the attack targeted on our governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom by Fulani nationalist movement (FUNAM) which they gave reason for the attack that they represents 15 countries of the world.
“It could be recalled that in January 2018, Fulani armed men attack and killed over seventy people in Benue state and 48hrs after mass burial, Miyetti Allah issued out a threat that “expect more blood shed in Benue state” and since then Benue state has been experiencing different attacks on innocent law abiding citizens of the state under the watch and protection of government at the federal level, no arrest was made”, it stated.
The group alleged that “The present government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has openly demonstrated his hatred on Benue people. Late President Shagari and Yar’Adua once ruled this country with fear of God, but reverse is the case, in the case of Buhari whose concern is purely Fulani.
“In view of this, the association is calling on the federal government to as a matter of urgency arrest the leadership of FUNAM for questioning, it the duty of any responsible government to protect its citizens, not been selective in terms of protect and should anything happen to our governor, the other side of the people will be seen, they stressed.
The association also called on Yerima shettima to order, to stop making incisive and provocative utterance that will bring disunity at the time every rational thinking person or government are looking for peace.
“If he claims he is representing youth of 19 northern states which Benue is inclusive, has he made any effort to restore peace in trouble spots in the north?, PROABI lamented.
According to them “Nigeria as a country does not belong to a group of persons or tribe as claimed by Fulani people.
March 25, 2021
Ortom Commends Buhari’s Directive Against Illegal Carrying Of AK-47
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his directive to security agents to shoot anyone illegally bearing AK47 rifle.
The Governor gave the commendation today at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi when the Chairman Governing Board, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Professor Adamu Kyuka paid him a courtesy visit.
Governor Ortom stated that the President’s order would reduce the level of criminality, banditary and militia herders’ attacks on Benue communities as well as other parts of the country.
According to the Governor, the order would also make the communities safer for displaced farmers to return to their ancestral homes.
“I wish to commend Mr. President for his recent order against those bearing AK47 rifles. This I am sure will reduce the high rate of criminality, banditary and militia herdsmen attacks on our farming communities,” the Governor stated.
He noted that President Buhari had done the right thing by listening to the calls he and other concerned Nigerians made on the need for the Federal Government to act faster and decisively to save the country from degenerating to a state of anarchy.
“I don’t only criticise, I also commend where necessary. And I want to say shame on those psychopaths who were bashing me for writing to Mr. President because he has finally heeded my advice,” the Governor noted.
Governor Ortom said Nigeria belongs to all its citizens and only justice and equity anchored on the rule of law could guarantee the unity and stability of the country.
March 5, 2021