Gov. Ortom Under Fire Over Buhari; Tiv Youths Task Him On Governance; Calls Him Hypocrite

By Akinwale Kasali

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has come under criticism from Tiv Youths in the State.

They are angry with him over his incessant criticism  of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, and the APC as a party.

The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide, an umbrella body of Tiv youths, therefore, called on the Governor to concentrate on governance, and refrain from criticising President Buhari.

Mike Msuaan, the President of the Council said in a statement in Abuja, that Governor Ortom should provide for his people the dividends of democracy and not unwarranted accusations.

The Council added that the Governor should stop taking delight in attacking Buhari at any slightest opportunity, and concentrate on providing democracy dividends in his State.

The Council described as “hypocrisy driven to a rather ridiculous height’’ the accusations Ortom levelled against the President in his most recent utterances.

“It is curious that the Governor who has used apparatus of state to intimidate critics from interrogating his inability to provide basic amenities for the people of Benue will turn round to accuse the President of intimidating critics.

“Just recently, Mr Atsar Gundu, who has been a virulent critic of Ortom was arrested in a gestapo manner and remanded in prison without trial for several months.

“The Governor, like no other in the history of the state, is currently in court with several other citizens of the state, all in a bid to gag public outcry against his dismal performance,’’ the group said.

On the allegations of corruption against Buhari’s aides, Msuaan said that Ortom’s Principal Private Secretary and Adviser on Works and Housing were charged to court for alleged corruption for embezzling N4.7 billion.

“Similarly, just recently, Mr Joseph Loko, the Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission and others were dragged to court by the EFCC for misappropriation of about N500 million.

“We expect the Governor to get busy with fashioning out a solution to the militia killings in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

“There are protracted communal crisis in Bonta, Konshisha LGA and Oju LGA which has led to the destruction of several lives and property worth millions of naira.

“Also, the ongoing Ipiav and Yandev communal problems in Gboko LGA and many other crises should get the governor’s action,’’ he said.

Showering encomiums on President Buhari for his giant strided in transportation and other sectors of the economy, Msuaan commended the security agencies and urged them not to be deterred by negative statements but sustain the fight against criminality and agents of destabilization.