Ortom Has No Plans To Dump The APC
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Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has debunked rumours making the rounds that he will seek re-elections on another plaftform other than the APC, saying he has no intention to leave APC for another party and has not consulted anyone on the matter.
Ortom was reacting to a report in a national daily which named him, Samuel Ortom as one of the All Progressives Congress, APC leaders planning to defect to another political party.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom said the report which is obviously sponsored is not only false but also misleading.
Akase said the Governor enjoys a cordial working relationship with other leaders of the party both at the local, state and national levels and is focused on delivering greater benefits of democracy to his people including tackling the security challenges confronting them and there is no cause to warrant his defection to another party.
“Governor Ortom’s stand of seeking for justice over the invasion, killing and wanton destruction of property by herdsmen militia is what any good leader ought to do.
“The Governor has already conveyed the appreciation of the State Government to President Muhammadu Buhari for deploying more troops and other security operatives to Benue to end the killings.
“It must be noted that the killings predate the APC as a party and the present administration. The Governor’s focus is on solving the problem in collaboration with other stakeholders. He wants to see the end of the killings but this can only be done with the support of the Federal Government. Fortunately, the adminsitration of President Buhari has responded positively by sending troops and other security operatives to chase away the armed militia from Benue communities” he said.
He described the speculation as the handiwork of detractors who want to take undue advantage of the unfortunate security situation in Benue State and play politics with the blood of the people.
“The other insinuation in the report that Governor Ortom has fallen out of favour with other leaders of APC in Benue State particularly Senator George Akume is also unfounded. The report is aimed at creating acrimony between the Governor and the Senator.
Governor Ortom was popularly elected to lead Benue State and he has demonstrated uncommon committment and selflessness to justifying the confidence reposed in him. He will therefore not be distracted by baseless reports and rumours of defection.
Akase insisted that what is of greater concern to the Governor now is how to stop the killings in the state and also tackle the humanitarian crisis with nearly 500,000 displaced persons as a result of the invasion of communities and killing of defenceless people by armed men. “The Benue State Government is already collaborating with the Federal Government to see how the displaced persons can be rehabilitated and to ensure their return home”, he added.
