Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom is a very unprincipled man who is only motivated by the lust for personal gains, the presidency has declared.
This is why he has changed political parties several times during his ‘undistinguished career.’
These are part of the submissions made by the presidency on Wednesday evening in a response to recent attacks by the Governor against President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.
Truetells Nigeria reports recalls most recently, Ortom labelled Buhari as the worst President to ever rule Nigeria, adding that the President is grossly incapable of managing the affairs of the country.
He added that Buhari is trying to implement a secret Fulani agenda in Nigeria and cares more about cows than the people he is expected to lead.
But in a response contained in a statement released on Wednesday evening by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the Buhari camp said Ortom is only attacking the President to save his failing political career and remain relevant.
The presidency alleged further that Ortom is not a person fit to be trusted with holding any political or public office.
The statement warned Governor Ortom to stop playing the cards of ethnicity and religion which it noted is capable of tearing not only Benue State but the entire Nigeria apart.
Below is the full text of the statement.
Governor Samuel Ortom has few political principles. We can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career.”
“Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.”
“Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.”
“In an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.”
Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.”
“As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a “secret Tutsi agenda” over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a “secret Fulanization agenda” over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria.”
“This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.”
This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.”
“These are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.”
“For the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.”
This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.”
“These are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.”
“For the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.”
“The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness.”