Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has acknowledged the significance of the democracy saying it is the best form of government for the country.
Ortom who stated this in his address to celebrate the 2020 democracy day, the first ever on June 12, said although democracy had come with its imperfections, it is the best form of government for the country.
Governor Ortom said “June 12 is significant for us as Nigerians. This was the day in 1993 that, Presidential Election was held and widely accepted as free, fair and credible. It was a day that Nigerians and the international community described as most important in the political history of post-independent Nigeria.
“We may not have attained the heights we desire as a nation but the truth remains that democracy, with its imperfections, remains the best form of government.
“For us in Benue, despite economic and security challenges that our state has faced over the years, we have continued to contribute our quota to the development of the State and the country in general.”
Ortom stated that between 1999 and this year, Benue has enjoyed uninterrupted transition of power from one administration to another with previous governments making concerted efforts to develop the state.
He said his administration is building on those blocks and doing more to improve on the economy, security and the general life of the people.
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He named significant progress in uplifting the status of education, health, infrastructure and agriculture sub-sectors, especially, saying Benue State is ready to provide food for the entire country, but activities of armed herdsmen have continued to jeopardize this effort.
According to him, the resurgence of armed Fulani herdsmen attacks on the people in the rural areas is in gross violation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.
He said between April and June this year, more than 60 persons have been killed by herdsmen.
“It was a result of this that I made a passionate appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the protocol on free movement of people among ECOWAS member countries,” the governor said.
In spite of the renewed attacks on Benue communities, Ortom commended security operatives, particularly Operation Whirl Stroke, the Police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and State Livestock Guards for the enforcement of the law.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the deployment of more troops in the North-Central States to help contain the menace of armed herdsmen, banditry and kidnappings.
“Today, Nigeria is celebrating June 12, an event that seemed like an unachievable dream some years ago. I am confident that this is the same way the country will someday embrace ranching as the best method of animal husbandry which Benue has been championing since 2017,” he added.
