RE-BENUE GROUP CRITICISES ORTOM’S OPEN SUPPORT FOR IPOB, KANU, By Nathaniel Ikyur

We would have ignored the rantings by this one-man ‘Benue Patriotic Front’ for the fact that theirs is one of the many attempts by political jobbers in the state who want to use the name of Governor Samuel Ortom to win some sympathy at the centre. But we have to correct the false impression Dan Morgan-Ihomun has created in the public space, claiming that Gov Ortom openly supported the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and their embattled leader, Nnamdi Kanu who was recently arrested in a foreign country and brought back to Nigeria.

Perhaps, Mr Ihomun, this self styled Benue Patriotic Front helmsman who claims to be speaking for the generality of Benue people, ought to have taken some basic lessons in understanding simple grammatical expressions. Governor Ortom was unambiguous in that statement which Ihomun is now twisting to catch his fancy.

Let me repeat the exact words of the Governor here:

“If the federal government has demonstrated capacity to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, they should also exhibit the same zeal, will and decision to arrest the Fulani herdsmen that are terrorizing our state and country. Let that be done, they are living here with us. If Nnamdi Kanu can be arrested from a foreign land, I believe that if the federal government can exhibit the same will, they will arrest Fulani herdsmen, especially Miyetti Allah who have owned up to the killings in Benue state and have continued to terrorize our land.”

Mr Benue Patriotic Front, does the above quotation suggest anything close to saying Governor Ortom supports terror acts as you’ve painted in your warped statement?

You have shown glaring political biases. You should have understood that, for as long as we can remember, Benue State has been under constant invasion of communities by Fulani herdsmen. These Fulani killing militia have not only killed, they have maimed, raped our mothers, daughters and destroyed the ancestral homes of scores of Benue people in a bid to take over these lands. As at the last count, 18 lcoal governments out of 23 have been affected by the crisis of herdsmen attacks. And that accounts for the over one million intrnally displaced persons, IDP’s in the state. Sadly, you even mocked the authenticity of the IDP figures.

Let me give you a few examples amongst many. In Moon council ward of Turan in Kwande local government for example, the entire communities have been sacked for more than fifteen years. Parts of Logo, Guma, Makurdi the state capital, Tarka local government where you hail from as well as Agatu, Ado and Gwer West Local Government Areas have also been affected by the herdsmen wars. Yet, because it pleases you that criticising the Ortom administration is a ready means to earn a pay check, you jump at it with ease. So what manner of patriotism are you fronting for Benue State? Is it the ones in your pockets? Or could this sudden arm chair criticism of the Ortom administration be because you lost out as the Transport Officer of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service?

If Dan Morgan-Ihomun, aka Benue Patriotic Front cares to know, Governor Ortom remains one of the few leaders in Nigeria now who sincerely believes and works for the unity of this country. Ortom has not and will never support any terrorist acts. He believes in justice, equity and fairness for all. Ortom is only worried that security agencies are not tackling leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. It’s therefore strange how the IPOB leader could be so easily arrested in a foreign land. So, Governor Ortom is only proding the consciousness of the Buhari led administration to step up its game. And that he should not be seen to be ethnically partisan in dealing with us. At least, he once told us that he will be President for all.

▪︎Ikyur is the Principal Special Assistant on Media to the Executive Governor of Benue State