Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom said the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the state has suddenly become jittery since they are no longer on ground after he dumped the party.
Governor Ortom stated this while responding to rumours that he has sent his men round the local governments to purchase PVCs ahead of 2019 general elections.
Governor Ortom said such was the desperate of the APC in the State who have lost base since he dumped the party.
According to him, police investigations have proved that the person who was arrested was an APC member.
“You know, the APC know that since after my exit, they are no longer on ground and that is why you can see that they have no stronghold any where in Benue State again. So they have continued to raise false alarms and lies. Go to the commissioner of police, he will tell you the person who was arrested buying PVC. It was an APC member, that was arrested.
“So none of our members are involved in distributing money and collecting cards. It is the APC. They are just trying to change the narrative.
“So it is their style of leadership. See their leader trying to change narrative that no Fulani man killed any Benue person. That all the attacks, bloodshed were by the Benue people themselves. It is shameful, disgraceful. so we are not surprised that he has sold out his people and collected peanuts.
The governor urged Benue people not to be deceived by any agent to give out their PVCs in exchange for jobs or money, but hold onto them, stressing that the PVC was no criteria for giving or getting jobs.
Speaking on the successes and challenges recorded in the course of implementing the Anti-Open Grazing law, Govrrnor Orrom said about 40 people who contravenes the law were arraigned before a court of law while more than 30 were convicted.
The governor said some of the convicts are to pay various fines while some are to serve jail terms.
The governor said apart from the stiff opposition the law has received from Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the law has witnessed tremendous compliance.
He emphasized that his administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total implementation of the law.
“The challenges have been the killings and destructions. People think they are above the law and actively are supported by agencies of government.
“We have restrained ourselves because the rule of law remains the only weapon that can protect us. And for us as law abiding citizens, we will continue to restrain ourselves from doing anything that will undermine the laws of this country”, he added.
