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Tag: Ortom

  • 560 killed in Benue since January, says Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said more than 560 persons have died in the herdsmen/farmers clashes, while half of Gwer West, Makurdi, Guma, Logo and Kwande Local Government Areas were sacked between January and now.

    Ortom was at the home of former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu, where he addressed stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Tarka, Buruku and Gboko councils.

    The governor lamented that his first tenure was characterised by challenges including lack of funds, natural disasters and insecurity, which he was gradually overcoming.

    Ortom said it was unfortunate that the attackers have found collaborators in some leaders who have vowed to remove him from office by all means.

    He reiterated that the attacks were beyond grazing, but rather the continuation of the 1804 conquest and the occupation agenda of Jihadists

    He appealed to other aspirants to eschew violence as they solicit the mandate of the people, noting that peace should be the ultimate desire of everyone.

    He said: “Despite the challenges, we have recorded milestones in health, agriculture, education and rural development, and more would come if I am elected for a second term.”

    The elders of Jemgbah, comprising Tarka, Gboko and Tarka councils, promised to ensure Ortom is re-elected in 2019.

  • Ortom sacks Benue Exam Board Secretary

    Governor Samuel Ortom has approved the sack of Mr Andrew Torhide Uchi as Executive Secretary of the Benue State Examinations Board.

    In his place, Mr Isaac Iorbee Hom has been appointed.

    A statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, said Mr Uchi’s removal is due to the fact that his continued stay in office is not in the best interest of the board.

    The statement added that the appointment of the new Executive Secretary is with immediate effect and directed the former Secretary to complete handover to Uchi within three days.

  • Seek excellence, Ortom urges student nurses

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, has urged students of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Technology to strive for excellence in their studies so that some of them could proceed for degree programmes in Nursing.

    The Governor gave the advice while inspecting ongoing work on the administrative block and additional hostels at the schools.

    The charge came on the heels of the announcement of the affiliation of the School of Nursing to the Benue State University for award of degrees in Nursing.

    Ortom said those who excel in their examinations could easily enroll for the new degree programme at the Benue State University which would start soon.

    He assured the students that despite of the financial challenges of the state, he would ensure completion of the ongoing projects.

    It could be recalled that the National Universities Commission, NUC, conducted a research verification exercise in the institution in July this year preparatory to the commencement of the establishment of the Department of Nursing Science for the award of Bachelor of Nursing Degree.

    The development has brought to three the number of allied medical science courses offered by the Benue State University College of Health Sciences in addition to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MBBS degree.

    The other two courses are Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.

    The School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Health Technology Agasha were closed down for several years on account of decrepit infrastructure and lack of requisite training facilities.

    Governor Ortom has reconstructed the two schools, upgraded their facilities as well as obtained reaccreditation which have ensured the reopening of the schools.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Msugh Kembe expressed delight at Governor Ortom’s intervention and commended the Governing Council and Senate of the institution for their commitment to its growth.

    He stated that the university during the Ortom administration has secured full accreditation for over 30 courses in the last one year.

    Professor Kembe stated that the institution would soon introduce courses in radiography, physiotherapy and pharmaceutical sciences so as to provide the needed manpower for its teaching hospital.

  • Ortom is Benue PDP leader

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has been appointed leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.

    Chairman John Ngbede announced the decision at an expanded caucus meeting at the Banquet Hall of Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

    Sir Ngbede noted that with the development, the party has been fused into one indivisible entity.

    He announced the constitution of an integration committee to ensure unification of members.

    Ngbede chairs the committee and David Tsevende is secretary.

    Former Governor Gabriel Suswam said certain positions, including secretary, deputy chairman, organising secretary and youth leader, have been allocated to the governor.

    Ortom thanked the leaders and state executive committee for reposing confidence in him.

    He solicited support and promised that a level-playing field will be provided for all aspirants.

    Party leaders led by Ortom; former Senate President David Mark; former Governor Suswam and Senator Barnabas Gemade have agreed to work together for the party’s interest.

    This decision was arrived at an all night meeting on Sunday, which spilled over to yesterday.

    This is the first meeting  since Ortom defected to PDP.

    Under the arrangement, those affected are to tender their resignation letters and curriculum vitae for possible appointments.

    David Mark urged party faithful to accept the arrangement in good faith, noting it is for the party’s good.

    Ortom, who said he wants to be a servant-leader, pleaded with other aspirants to allow him complete his second term of four years.

  • Ortom condemns impunity against journalists

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has condemned acts on impunity against journalists and other people by security operatives, saying it was against the tenants of democracy.

    The governor spoke when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) union staged a peaceful protest at the Benue People’s House in Makurdi.

    Ortom, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tony Ijohor, was worried that security forces aided eight of the 30-member House of Assembly to serve impeachment notice, which is an act of impunity.

    He, however, promised his support to journalists to fight impunity, and also promised to deliver the letter to President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration.

    Leader of the protesters, who is the Acting Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Kajo Martins, said members of the union nationwide are protesting the continued attacks on members in the course of collecting, processing and disseminating information.

  • Ortom to Akume: showcase your achievements

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has challenged Senator George Akume to showcase his achievements in his 11 years sojourn as a senator “instead of castigating me at every opportunity”.

    “Akume should showcase his score card. He has been in the senate for more than 11 years, and the constituents want to hear what he has done. He appears obsessed with abusing me every minute; that is not what the people want to hear,” Ortom told reporters yesterday in Makurdi.

    The governor spoke through his media aide, Tahav Agerzua, at a special interaction with reporters.

    He said: “The man (Akume) keeps insulting me at every turn. But, while he is raising questions about me, more questions are being raised about whether he has been an asset or liability to the people.

    “Nobody should boast that he can make someone governor; only God can do that. Mr Aper Aku became the first civilian governor without anyone’s support; Rev. Fr Moses Adasu moved from the Church to the Government House without a political godfather.

    “So, it is wrong for anyone to claim that he made me governor and could unseat me.”

    The governor dismissed claims he gave N2 billion to eight governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He wondered where such money could have come from.

    He rejected claims he is afraid to contest the PDP governorship primary, saying he won the primary before picking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

    The governor alleged Akume is struggling to pit him against PDP governorship aspirants because he rejected the automatic ticket offered by the APC.

    “PDP will not force Ortom on its members. Let all aspirants canvass for votes from the delegates and refrain from media wars,” he said.

    The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Cultural Development, James Bemgbator Mede, has resigned his appointment. He vowed to remain in APC.

    Mede, who was at the APC secretariat in Makurdi, cited the absence of focused political ideology and synergy of political participation among appointees as reasons for his resignation.

    He said he could not continue to work with “strange bed fellows”.

    The ex-special assistant  vowed not to leave APC, and thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to work, even as he promised to work hard for the victory of APC.

  • My life under threat, says Ortom

    Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom yesterday alleged threats to his life and those of his security aides.

    The governor, who spoke at an interactive session between the church, traditional institution and other stakeholders on peaceful elections in 2019, said he had received information on plans by some unnamed persons to attack his convoy on his way to Abuja.

    He also alleged a plan by the would be attackers to kidnap and torture one of his security aides before subjecting him to the most cruel death for daring to speak out against the invasion of communities in Benue State where massive killings were carried out.

    Ortom said since he received the information he had sometimes resorted to taking chartered flight to Abuja while such flights have been stopped from landing at the Makurdi Airport.

    He said he was confident that God would show him a way out of the situation if he had to travel out of the state.

    At the event, which was organised by the Makurdi Diocese of the Catholic Church and held at Pope John Paull II Pastoral Centre in Makurdi, the governor listed eradication of nationwide violence as well as arrest and prosecution of its perpetrators as the recipe for peaceful elections in 2019.

    He expressed worries that individuals and groups known to have been involved in violent acts were not being punished even when they sponsor large scale violence involving destruction of property, arson and killing of about 20,000 people in 19 states of the federation.

    He said: “If those that perpetuate violence, like armed herdsmen, are arrested, prosecuted, jailed or appropriate sanctions are applied on them, it will serve as deterrence for those contemplating violence in the future.

    “Nigerians should use the 2019 elections to demand an end to the Fulani herdsmen’s aggravated violence.

    “The Federal Government must stem the tide of violence and address the root causes of threats to elections in some states.

    “Actors, including INEC, the police, judges and other state security personnel neglect or fail in their duties during and after elections, leaving room for violence.”

    He added that actors like non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), labour unions, religious and traditional leaders, social and mass media must not relent in promoting and advocating for peace and community values that would strengthen national unity.

    According to the governor, the main threat to peaceful election in 2019 is the incessant and devastating attacks by herdsmen in 14 states.

    Quoting media reports, the governor said between January and March 2018, at least 1,351 people were killed by herdsmen, Boko Haram and other forms of insurgencies.

  • Onslaught on Ortom, Benue

    WHETHER by design or coincidence, the federal government has given the impression it is persecuting both Governor Samuel Ortom and his state, Benue. When the state groaned under the onslaught of rampaging and murderous herdsmen, it was difficult selling the idea that it was orchestrated by a complicit government. The government was negligent, even conniving, but it could hardly be accused of orchestrating murder against its own people. But moments, not even months, after a hesitant and generally beleaguered Mr Ortom defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the federal government let loose upon him the genius of apocalypse. First at the gates, like the Barbarians attacking Rome, were the police who gave protection to some eight rebel lawmakers in their futile and fanatical attempt to usurp the authority of the legislative majority and impeach the governor. However, not only were the usurpation and impeachment efforts resisted, they were demolished.

    Second, and more perniciously, APC officials began an onslaught of verbal abuse and intimidation on the governor and his person. Beginning with the party’s chairman, the irrepressible and sometimes flighty Adams Oshiomhole, party leaders did not spare any effort in hurling withering insults at Mr Ortom. He is described as treacherous, incompetent, variable, and insatiable and pugnacious. Mr Oshiomhole was particularly unsparing, dismissing the governor as good riddance to bad rubbish. Few defended the governor. He in fact does not seem as if he has any friend left in Nigeria. Apart from Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and a few whispers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which Mr Ortom migrated, no one else of substance defended the governor without sounding like a disgruntled anti-Buhari politician and critic.

    Then, finally, weighed in the ponderous and immoderate Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the anti-graft agency that is increasingly confusing its role as an independent arbiter and national cleanser with the odoriferous role of a partisan fixer and enforcer. The agency fired the first shot shortly after the governor defected by launching an investigation against him for alleged economic crimes. And it did it with fanfare. The timing was so suspicious that Prof Soyinka in disgust queried what manner of democracy the country was operating. “Suddenly,” said the eminent professor in a letter to the besieged governor, “we see the beginning of a heavy-handed campaign, reprisal and unruly circles over your political decision. This goes beyond any immediately-affected state, and alert us all to the threat against uncommon democratic definition and the basic right of free choice of political powers towards its attainment. I can only urge you to remain resilient, unbowed and undeterred… Due to the crisis in the country, someone defected and then the EFCC started chasing him. Does that look like a coincidence or what?”

    Indifferent to national queries over its partisan actions, the EFCC then ramped up its assault on Benue by freezing the state’s accounts, thereby raising the ire of many Nigerians and Benue indigenes who concluded that the EFCC action was nothing short of persecution. Though it later unfroze the state’s accounts, it has substituted that unpopular measure with a new set of invidious actions designed to paralyse the state. Benue State government officials, wailed the governor’s spokesman, were routinely invited to Abuja to be interrogated, thus effectively reducing the state to a hostile department of the federal government. Unitary rule could not be more vile. Now, the anti-graft agency is asking for the minutes of the state’s security meetings, and it is defending that clearly indefensible position on the grounds that it has the law on its side. There is, however, no doubt that the EFCC has been both impolitic in its statements and indiscrete in its actions. It has managed in the process to be numbered among state institutions undermining democracy.

    Both the ruling party and the EFCC must exercise restraint in their actions and statements, particularly against the opposition. The APC will not always be in power, regardless of its best efforts. If it does not join hands with other democrats to institute a liberal democracy which the entire country will repose confidence in, it will one day be hoisted with its own petard. Likewise, the EFCC must recognise that its chairmen have the obligation to guard the independence of the agency and protect its founding principles so that its future can be guaranteed. The EFCC has done very little so far to give confidence that it has not become a willing and savage tool in the hands of the ruling party. This is unfortunate.

  • Suswam rules out 60/40 sharing formula with Ortom, others

    Immediate past governor of Benue state Gabriel Suswam has ruled out the possibility of sharing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the state in favour of Governor Samuel Ortom.

    Suswam spoke yesterday at the civic reception organised by Zone A people in Ushongo.

    The former governor, who is the PDP leader in the state, maintained sharing the party’s structure to favour anyone can never work under his watch.

    He told those hiding behind Ortom to demand automatic tickets from the PDP had better get to work, stressing that no such thing will happen in Benue state.

    According to him: “On the rumour making rounds about 60/40,  wish to inform you, our teaming party supporters, that no such thing will happen in this party under my watch.

    “Those returning to our party are free to do so but making unimaginable demands is what the party will not condone.

    “We have been in series of meetings over this matter and we hope the national leadership will also adhere to the standard that binds us together, than those that are poised to eminently destroy us.

    “Those hiding behind the Governor to demand automatic tickets should better get to work as no such thing will happen here in Benue.

    PDP National vice chairman for the North central, Hon. Theophilus Dakas, sided withSuswam’s rejection of the sharing formula.

    Describing him as an inestimable asset to the PDP, Dakas said: “Suswam has paid his dues in the party. So, the issue of 60/40% and automatic ticket of returnees is not worth mentioning when Suswam is involved.”

    Ortom was represented by his Chief of Staff, TerwaseOrbunde.

     

  • Benue: Prove your claims, Ortom challenges Oshiomhole

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has challenged All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman Adams Oshiomhole to prove his claims of mismanagement of the Benue share of bailout funds and the Paris Club refunds.

    Ortom accused Oshiomhole of making “astonishing, unsubstantiated, wild and wide allegations relating to the issue of allocation and payment of salaries, security votes expenditure and the insecurity in Benue State”.

    The governor, who spoke in an August 6 letter written by his counsel, Samuel Irabor, alleged that the ex-Edo governor made libellous statements against him at a press conference on July 27.

    He demanded that Oshiomhole should write a “letter of retraction/apology addressed to our client in respect of the false, defamatory and libelous statement made against him in the sponsored press conference herein complained of.

    “That the said retraction/apology be simultaneously published in the Sunday edition of 10 national dailies circulating within Benue State as well as a paid advertorial to the same effect on the prime time beats of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Channels TV, TVC News, African Independent Television (AIT), Independent Television (ITV) Benin, Radio Nigeria, Radio Benue and Harvest FM, Makurdi.

    “An undertaking not to indulge in any such false publication against our client in future, payment of N10 billion as punitive, general, exemplary and aggravated damages.”

    He warned that should the APC chair fail to meet the terms within seven days, he should prepare to defend a libel suit.

    According to the Benue helmsman, Oshiomhole’s statements were an attempt to “regain political mileage” following Ortom’s recent exit from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He claimed that since he exercised his “political freedom” by moving to a party that guaranteed safety for his kinsmen, Oshiomhole had embarked on a campaign of hatred and propaganda against him.

    Ortom described as false and offensive, “your allegations that our client has confessed to sharing Benue State money with party leaders and that despite collection of bailout funds and Paris Club refunds .”

    He also took exception to a statement credited to Oshiomhole that “Governor Ortom has not, and is not paying salaries… the vicious circle of poverty in Benue State has been deepened under Governor Ortom.

    By deducible analysis, it is also your allegation that our client is responsible for the killings in Benue State, specifically the unfortunate killing of two Catholic priests and their parishioners in Mbalom community which sad event occurred on the morning of 24th April, 2018.

    “It is noteworthy that in the entire web of false accusations that you weaved against our client, you could not bring yourself to mention a single Benue person or any other person for that matter from whom you sourced your false narratives. For the records, the principles of law grounding liability for defamation and libel do not exculpate tale bearers from liability for the reason that the tales they bear are not original to them.

    “It is the complaint of our client that the false and offensive publication has deeply injured his reputation by portraying him in literal, unequivocal and unambiguous terms as a dishonest, fraudulent and violent person who has not only diverted the various intervention funds meant for salaries and arrears by sharing same with party leaders but is also an accomplice to the killings in Benue State.

    “It was in this parlous state that the Samuel Ortom led administration applied for the said N69 billion as bailout funds but it received N28 billion of which N12.5 billion was meant for the state and the balance of it was meant for the local government areas. After carrying out staff verification, the state paid four months arrears for January 2015 – April 2015 and was able to save N1.6 billion as a positive consequence of the verification exercise. Unfortunately the N1.6 billion saved from the verification exercise was garnished by the workers of Taraku Mills Ltd who had earlier secured judgment at the National Industrial Court before our client became Governor.

    “On the issue of Paris Club refund, the expenditure profile by the Benue State Government is also in the public domain as our client, in the spirit of transparency, probity, honesty and accountability, has variously engaged the Benue people through several interactive sessions entailing phone-in programmes vide the state media. The records show that the first tranche of Paris Club refund amounting to N12.7 billion was received in December, 2016 and used in facilitating two months salaries across board. The second tranche came in June 2017 amounting to N6.4 billion and was also used to offset salary, pension and gratuities while the Benue State Government in agreement with the Labour Congress in Benue State took an overdraft of N8 billion in anticipation of the third tranche which was also utilized to settle indebtedness to workers.”

    According to Ortom, the only inference to draw is that Oshiomhole’s “unproven allegation was informed by a dangerously cultivated, albeit unwarranted malice” against him.