The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has declared that his inability to satisfy the inordinate ambition of some to the detriment of the people of the state was responsible for the numerous attacks on him by the All Progressives Congress in the state.
This, the governor said, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, was contrary to the reasons given by the party.
Akase said there was no truth in the claim by the party that the issue of governance and alleged diversion of the Paris Club fund by the governor was the reason behind the attacks on him.
His words: “It should be on record that the attacks on Governor are coming now because he couldn’t meet some inordinate personal ambitions and interests of those who want to perpetually shortchange the people.
“The media attack on Governor Ortom by the state chapter of APC is the beginning of the smear campaign about which we alerted Benue people and other Nigerians. More of such disparaging statements should be expected in the days to come.”
Ortom, however, said no amount of intimidation or personal attacks could make him abandon the people of Benue State.
He said he had chosen to stand with the people and would not be distracted now or in the future.
Describing the claim that the governor was criticized over his style of governance, as the height of hypocrisy, Ortom, in the statement, challenged anyone with a proof to make it public.
“We equally challenge the party to make public evidence regarding their claims that bailout funds and Paris Club refund were diverted,” Akase said.
He said while the governor appreciated the platform which APC gave him to offer service to the people of Benue State, it was regrettable that the same party had turned to demonize him for obvious “selfish reasons.”
“Governor Ortom has encouraged regular caucus and other stakeholders’ meetings at which he constantly gives briefings about the security and financial challenges in the state.
“He also gets feedback and input at such meetings.
“His successful conduct of the local government elections which APC candidates overwhelmingly won chairmanship and councillorship positions throughout the state is proof of the popularity of his administration.
“There has really been no need for the party to raise governance issues with Governor Ortom because he gives the leaders and the state working committee regular briefings at meetings and platforms mentioned above.
“Besides, the Governor announces to the people of the state receipts of monies and expenditures.
“Governor Ortom gave the people of the state information about the bailout, Paris Club refunds and all other federal government interventions and explained how they could not meet all the final obligations with respect to payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions.
“The claim by the APC that such matters were raised at the last State Congress or at a secret forum is therefore not tenable, misleading and insincere,” the press secretary said.
He said the APC State Congress was conducted in the public domain and issues of governance were not raised at the meeting.
He said it was indeed absurd for anyone “to make heavy wind out of an endorsement that has no legal backing and cannot be relied upon.”
He pointed out too that at no time did Governor Ortom ever mention that the APC in Benue State gave him a red card.
Rather, he stated, it was the leader of the party who said at several fora that he had given him red card.
He said the governor made internal efforts to resolve the matter within the structure of the party at the state level before going public.
“That APC in the state has issued the statement as if it is the leader of the party or as if they are one and the same, underscores Governor Ortom’s concern that the party structure in the state is out to satisfy the whims and caprices of one individual.
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“It is now clear that APC in Benue State has opted to mortgage the interest of the people of the state. The party’s unprovoked attack on Governor Ortom points to where its interest lies.
“More ridiculous is the fact that APC has become a one man show in Benue State.”
