2019: Governor Ortom has no plan to dump APC - Akase
- Governor Samuel Ortom has reacted to a media report suggesting he is on his way out of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
- The governor described the report as false and misleading
- He stated that he has no intention to leave the APC for another party and has not consulted anyone on the matter
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has reacted to a media report suggesting he is on his way out of the ruling APC.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Sunday, May 6 by his spokesman, Terver Akase, the governor described the report as false and misleading.
He stated that he has no intention to leave the APC for another party and has not consulted anyone on the issue.
READ ALSO: Almost one million residents displaced, 18 LGAs affected by attacks in Benue - Governor Ortom
Part of the statement read: “The governor enjoys a cordial working relationship with other leaders of the party both at the local, state and national levels and is focused on delivering greater benefits of democracy to his people including tackling the security challenges confronting them and there is no cause to warrant his defection to another party.
“Governor Ortom's stand of seeking for justice over the invasion, killing and wanton destruction of property by herdsmen militia is what any good leader ought to do. The governor has already conveyed the appreciation of the state government to President Muhammadu Buhari for deploying more troops and other security operatives to Benue to end the killings.
“It must be noted that the killings predate the APC as a party and the present administration. The governor's focus is on solving the problem in collaboration with other stakeholders. He wants to see the end of the killings but this can only be done with the support of the federal government.”
The statement described the report as “the handiwork of detractors who want to take undue advantage of the unfortunate security situation in Benue state and play politics with the blood of the people.”
The governor also denied insinuation in the report that he has fallen out of favour with other leaders of APC in Benue state particularly Senator George Akume, adding that “the report is aimed at creating acrimony between the governor and the senator.”
“Governor Ortom was popularly elected to lead Benue state and he has demonstrated uncommon commitment and selflessness to justifying the confidence reposed in him. He will therefore not be distracted by baseless reports and rumours of defection.
“What is of greater concern to the governor now is how to stop the killings in the state and also tackle the humanitarian crisis with nearly 500,000 displaced persons as a result of the invasion of communities and killing of defenceless people by armed men.
“The Benue state government is already collaborating with the federal government to see how the displaced persons can be rehabilitated and to ensure their return home,” the statement concluded.
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Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has directed his appointees interested in running for various offices in the 2019 elections to resign before Tuesday, May 29, or be sacked.
In a press release sent to Legit.ng by Akase, the governor said the decision is to give the affected appointees enough time to concentrate on their campaign programmes while paving way for others to assume such positions and also contribute to the development of the state.
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Source: Legit.ng
