I cannot be distracted by antics of opposition— Ortom
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has reassured Benue people of his commitment to serve them, saying he is undistracted by the antics of the opposition.
Ortom gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing Concerned Benue Mothers and Benue Youth who protested in Makurdi.
The two groups were protesting about the press conference organised by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume on August 30 in Abuja.
“I remain committed to serve Benue people and it is what they want that I will do.
“My people elected me in 2015 and reelected me in 2019 against all odds, so, it is only what they want me to do that I will do.
“I cannot be intimated by anybody. I will not allow anybody to tamper with the desire of my people,” Ortom assured.
He explained that the people were free to reside and operate in the State as long as they operate within the ambit of the State laws but that violators would be prosecuted.
Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde, assured the groups that nobody would take over the Benue land under any guise.
Orbunde charged them to pray without ceasing for God’s intervention against any evil agenda concerning the State.
Earlier, Leader of the Concerned Benue Mothers, Mrs Hanatu Ullam, said that the hospitality which the state was known for should not be taken for granted by the Fulani herdsmen.
Ullam stressed that they would continue to support Ortom in his quest to protect the state from the killer Fulani herdsmen.
She further appealed to the Federal Government (FG) to release the N10 billion that it promised in 2018 for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to enable the IDPs return to their ancestral homes.
Leader of the Benue Youth, Comrade Inalegwu Adakole, corroborated Ullam, stressed that they would continue to throw their weight behind Ortom in order to succeed in securing their land.
Adakole further encouraged Ortom to vie for the Benue North West Senatorial Seat in 2023 in order to contribute his quota for quality legislation at the National Assembly.
“The governor has demonstrated that he is a good lawmaker for initiating the Anti-Open Grazing Law which most states are now trailing behind him,” he said.
