The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said the Presidency lied in its claim that the state is not included in the controversial Ruga settlements plan of the federal government.
Mr. Ortom said the statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Channels TV on Tuesday was not only contradictory but also false, misleading and lacking in honour.
Mr. Shehu, who was a guest during a breakfast show on the independent television channel had criticised Mr. Ortom for rejecting the Ruga settlement plan, adding that Benue State was not included in the programme.
But responding to the presidential aide, Mr. Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said there is ample evidence to show the Presidency is lying.
He recalled that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had written to the Benue State Government informing it of the decision to establish Ruga Settlements in the three senatorial zones of the state.
“Our Ministry of Agriculture which received the correspondence responded that Benue has no land for the Ruga Settlements,” the governor said.
“It added that the state only has land for ranches as stipulated by the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.
“The Benue State Government subsequently made public its rejection of the Ruga model of animal husbandry and reminded those pushing for the illegal settlement patterns about the provisions of the country’s Constitution and the Land Use Act.”
The governor said he was shocked to hear Mallam Shehu’s claim that the state was not included in the Ruga project and, therefore, had no right to speak about it.
Mr. Ortom wondered why the Federal Government sent contractors to mount project’s signposts in parts of the state if it was not included in the controversial project.
Continuing, he argued, “If Benue was not included in the Ruga settlements, why did the Federal Government say it has gazetted lands in the 36 states for the project?
“It is now clear that Mallam Garba Shehu is misleading the Presidency and telling lies about a sensitive matter that affects the entire country.
“We choose not to join him in his comfort zone – where he makes unpresidential statements and vilifies anyone with a contrary opinion.
“His repeated unprovoked attacks on the person and office of the governor only exposed his temperament and others in the same league, as intolerant of alternative views on issues.”
Mr. Ortom said he was reelected by the people of the state because they were convinced he is the one who truly represents and protects their interests.
He, therefore, said he will neither be distracted nor be intimidated by the antics of the likes of Mr. Shehu, saying “The interest of Benue State and the entire country takes priority over parochial interests.”
But a letter from the department of animal husbandry services of the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development dated December 6, 2018, showed Benue State was selected for the herders’ settlement project.
The letter, with reference No: DAHS/288/5.36. Vol. 1 and signed by an acting director, Omagbemi Funke, and addressed to regional directors in the North-east, North-west and North-central, requested for information on pastoral settlements that needed quick intervention.
However, another letter addressed to Mr. Ortom, dated May 17, and signed by the state Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, T. Abi, also showed the state was selected for the Ruga Settlement programme.
