TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ortom

  • Ortom is envious of Gov. Alia’s security achievements – CPS

    Ortom is envious of Gov. Alia’s security achievements – CPS

    Mr Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, says the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, is envious of Alia’s achievements, particularly in the area of security.

    Kula, in a statement on Tuesday in Makurdi, said Alia’s commitment to peaceful and secure Benue was often spitefully mischaracterised by his critics, particularly his predecessor.

    Recall that Ortom, in a statement on Monday signed by his media aide, Mr Terver Akase, accused Alia of playing politics with insecurity.

    The former governor stated that the difference between him and Alia was that while he stood against injustice and strongly fought the agenda of pastoralists who wanted to occupy Benue lands as theirs, his successor does not want the world to know the truth.

    But reacting to the statement, Kula said Alia never said there was absolute peace in Benue but rather stated that the security situation improved significantly since he became governor.

    The CPS pointed out that it was a statement of fact that attacks on innocent farmers and citizens reduced significantly since the inception of Alia’s administration.

    He emphasised that under Alia, daily mass killings have significantly diminished, allowing residents to feel safer in their communities.

    “Gov. Alia has never said there is absolute peace in Benue. He has been consistent that relative peace has returned in the state under his watch.

    “And it is important for Ortom and his co-travellers to understand the distinction between relative peace and absolute peace.

    “While absolute peace may be unattainable, especially as it entails the state or country being completely free of security challenges, the relative peace currently being experienced in Benue is significant,” he said.

    The CPS said people who hitherto could not access their ancestral homes now go there to farm, adding that some have even returned and settled back home.

    He added that markets that were once closed because of insecurity were now thriving again.

    “In Guma Local Government Area (LGA), where Ortom hails from, local markets like Kaseyo, Ortese, Gbajimba, Daudu, etc. have reopened, showcasing a resurgence in commerce and a return to normalcy.

    “This economic revival is a testament to improved security and governmental effectiveness.

    “Alia has effectively reduced the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. And while his predecessor claimed there were four million IDPs, recent profiling shows fewer than one million remain in camps.

    “This exodus from IDP camps shows that many families have returned to their ancestral homes, further signifying a return to stability.

    “The resurgence of agricultural activities in Mbagwen and Isherev districts in Makurdi and surrounding areas underscores the positive impact of the current administration’s efforts to restore peace and confidence,” he said.

    Kula admitted that while there are still security challenges in some parts of the state, Alia was actively working to address these issues.

    He said the governor’s approach was constructive and focused on problem-solving rather than engaging in political grandstanding or fearmongering.

    “Governor Alia is taking a quiet but effective approach to tackling insecurity in Benue. He is working diligently to eliminate the rate of insecurity, and for that, he deserves commendation rather than vituperations.

    “It does not surprise us that the diatribe is coming from the people who instigated all the security challenges, which Gov.

    “Alia is committed to finding solutions rather than just talking about the problems.

    “Alia’s actions so far only demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving security and fostering a peaceful environment in Benue. He deserves support rather than unfounded accusations or politicisation of the situation.

    “And the last person to criticise the governor in this regard should be Ortom,” he said.

  • Alia playing politics with Benue insecurity – Ortom

    Alia playing politics with Benue insecurity – Ortom

    The immediate past governor of Benue, Chief Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Gov. Hyacinth Alia, of playing politics with the continuous insecurity bedevilling the state.

    Ortom stated this in a statement on Tuesday signed by his media aide, Mr Terver Akase, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    The former governor said that he watched with shock and sadness a video clip where Alia told the NKST Church Ikpayongo congregation in Gwer East LGA on Sunday that since he assumed office, armed herders have stopped attacking and killing people.

    He said Alia also levelled several lies against him, whom he accused of feigning an assassination attempt on his life in 2021.

    Ortom also said that the governor said, unlike during the previous administration when killings were on a daily basis, his tenure has witnessed absolute peace across the state, as attacks have ended and the people now go about their normal activities.

    “While we may not bother with the theatrics of the governor and his inclination towards obfuscation, we find it rather sad and unfortunate that he did so this time standing before a church congregation in Gwer East.

    “One of the local government areas which have suffered some of the worst herdsmen attacks under his watch with many people killed, others injured and property worth billions destroyed.

    “The people of Gwer who were in that church must have felt grossly dismayed on hearing such words coming from a man who is their governor.

    “There have been uncountable mass burials during Alia’s administration in many parts of the state as a result of attacks, particularly in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Otukpo, among others.

    “This government only attempts to conceal the truth about the killings and mass burials,” said.

    The former stated that the difference between him and Alia was that while he stood against injustice and strongly fought the agenda of pastoralists who wanted to occupy Benue lands as theirs, his successor does not want the world to know the truth.

    According to him, people are still under attacks, and wanton killings have been taking place in communities on a higher level than during his time.

    Ortom urged Alia to apologise to the people of Benue for his insensitivity in claiming there are no more herders’ attacks in the state, especially when many have been traumatised after burying their loved ones.

    However, Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Alia, challenged the former governor to take a walk through his home local government of Guma, which was the epicentre of armed attacks when he hailed sway to power, and see things for himself.

    Kula said the people in Guma have returned home to pick up the pieces of their lives.

    He said his principal did not lie about the present security of the state, adding that relative peace, as cited by Alia, had indeed returned to the state despite pockets of attacks in some local government areas.

    “Alia acknowledged that there is relative peace, not absolute peace. However, compared to a time when attacks occurred daily, even targeting IDP camps, the situation has significantly improved.

    “Even in Ortom’s home LGA, attacks are no longer as frequent as they were during his administration. While some attempted attacks have occurred in certain areas, they are no longer a daily reality.

    “Today, Alia is caring for fewer than one million displaced persons in the state, unlike Ortom’s time when there were four million IDPs, an indication that many have returned to their farms.

    “All markets in Guma are now operational because residents have returned home. The governor is not lying.

    “Fighting insecurity is not about constant public outcry; it requires real solutions. Ortom left Benue in ruins. He should be ashamed and seek forgiveness from the people, “he said.

  • Benue PDP nominates Ortom BOT member

    Benue PDP nominates Ortom BOT member

    The Benue State Working Committee (SWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Chief Samuel Ortom as a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT).

    The nomination was contained in a statement signed by Mr Tim Nyor, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi.

    PDP in the statement said the decision was necessitated by the expiration of the tenure of the previous members, marking a significant leadership shift within the party at the state level.

    “In compliance with sections 32(1)(g) and 32(4) of the PDP Constitution, the nomination was announced via correspondence from the party secretariat to Chief Ortom and signed by the State Secretary, Mr Dan Nyikwagh.

    “The SWC believes that Ortom’s extensive experience and dedication to the party made him the ideal candidate for the position.

    “After careful deliberation, the SWC, under the chairmanship of Ezekiel Adaji, unanimously endorsed you for the position, recognising your invaluable contributions to the party, your exemplary leadership, and your commitment to the ideals and progress of the PDP,” he said.

    The SWC expressed optimism that Ortom’s contributions to the BOT would strengthen the party’s cohesion in Benue and ensure that the interests of the state resonate within the national party framework.

  • God told me not to contest election in 2027 – Ortom

    God told me not to contest election in 2027 – Ortom

    The immediate past governor of Benue, Chief Samuel Ortom, has said that God told him not to contest any election in 2027.

    Ortom made the disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi when People’s Democracy Party (PDP) G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas in Benue.

    The former governor said that he had no option but to respect God’s wish.

    He admitted that he failed to consult God before joining the 2023 election, hence his defeat.

    Ortom stated that the PDP was determined to take over the Benue Government House in 2027.

    “I’m not contesting the 2027 election. I knew why I lost the election in 2023. I didn’t consult God. My people purchased the forms for me, and I accepted them without consulting God.

    “God has revealed everything to me. He has asked me to wait for him,” he said.

    Ortom further disclosed that while serving the state as governor, he made far-reaching sacrifices, including abandoning his family and friends at some point for state matters.

    The former governor promised to continue to support the party, adding that no one’s ambition should be above the interest of the party.

    According to him, after he left office, he wanted to go on sabbatical, but the elders objected.

    Ortom said nobody has the powers to disband the revered PDP G-14 group, not even him as the leader of the party.

    “As a leader of the party in the state, I lack the powers to dissolve the group. So nobody can disband this group.

    “G-14 is the elders forum of the PDP in Benue. If anything must happen, I must know first because I am the leader,” he said.

    On the forthcoming congresses, he said, the national secretariat had already approved the ward and local government congresses of Benue, adding that the state congress would hold on October 3rd.

    He said he had already spoken to Sen. Gabriel Suswam and Sen. Abba Moro, and they agreed to encourage consensus as much as they could because they were in opposition.

    The Chairman of PDP G-14, Dr Laha Dzever, declared full support for the Ortom-led leadership.

    Dzever said that they came to again pledge their support for his leadership and promised to work for the peace and unity of the party.

    The chairman stated that in politics there must be occasional disagreements, stressing that the current internal squabble in the party would only make it stronger.

    He commended Ortom for his relentless efforts in making sure that the PDP remained a major and united party in the state.

    On their purported dissolution, Dzever said that nobody selected the group, which was formed in 2015 as part of our efforts to ensure that the party did not collapse after losing elections.

    “The only person that can disband us is the leader of the party in the state, and that is Chief Ortom. You alone can only disband what you have formed.” He said.

  • I‘ve nothing to hide, not afraid of probe – Ortom

    I‘ve nothing to hide, not afraid of probe – Ortom

    Former Benue State Governor. Samuel Ortom says he is not afraid of probe, as he has nothing to hide.

    Ortom said this in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Terver Akase in Makurdi on Tuesday.

    Akase said that the former Governor had no reservations over steps taken by his successor, Gov Hyacinth Alia, to probe his eight-year rule.

    “Ortom is willing to cooperate with the probe panels as long as the investigation is carried out in line with the law, because his administration was built on transparency, accountability, and good governance.

    “Ortom is ready to provide any information or clarification, as may be required.

    “He has urged all those who held political appointments his his administration to make themselves available whenever called upon to provide clarifications,” he said.

    Alia had on Monday, inaugurated two commissions to probe the administration of Ortom from 2015 to 2023.

    The two Judicial Commissions were; Commission of Inquiry into the Income and Expenditures of Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sale/Lease of government assets.

  • No amount of propaganda can stop recovery of Benue assets – Alia

    No amount of propaganda can stop recovery of Benue assets – Alia

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, on Thursday said no amount of propaganda will stop the ongoing recovery of all looted state assets by the Assets Recovery Committee.

    This was contained in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

    He said his administration will use every lawful means to recover all looted assets of the state.

    “But what Ortom and his media men must know is that Gov. Alia and his government cannot be stampede. It remains focused and determined to use every lawful means in recovering all stolen assets that belong to the state.

    “Benue people who have been victims of the many years of the PDP maladministration are solidly behind the government and its mission to recover all stolen assets.

    “What those who are crowning themselves “witches’’ should know that the Assets Recovery Committee is on course and no amount of media facts-twisting and lie-peddling will stop them from carrying out their mandate based on their terms of reference,” he said.

    Kula said following information on vehicles illegally acquired and diverted by former governor and officials of his government by the Assets Recovery Committee, the PDP and Ortom’s media team had gone into a media overdrive.

    He said the enemies of the state have been issuing streams of statements, mostly contradictory, in a bid to muddy the waters and curry undue public sympathy since the recovery of exotic cars by the committee.

    “Governor Alia entered into a covenant with Benue people to deliver good governance and pull the state back from the precipice that he is committed to doing to the latter.

    “Alia is focused. He knows where he is heading to. Everything has a foundation and so is good governance.

    “If Alia succeeds only in entrenching discipline, bringing sanity to the management of state resources, prudent management of resources, accountability, transparency,  equity and inclusiveness, then other things will certainly fall in place,’’ he said.

    He said the PDP, its Publicity Secretary, and the former governor’s media should not think that media frenzy would twist the narrative and flip the issues in their favour.

    “Most of the youth penning down commentaries to support the greatest heist in the history of the state are graduates who are still riding motorcycles without jobs.

    “Alia led government is focused and its sights are set on delivering good governance to the people,’’ he said

    The State Assets Recovery Committee on Tuesday raided a private automobile workshop company in Makurdi and recovered over 20 exotic cars from it.

  • Benue gov, Alia denies witch-hunting Ortom

    Benue gov, Alia denies witch-hunting Ortom

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue said he was focused on governance and service delivery to the people and not after his predecessor, Mr  Samuel Ortom.

    Mr  Terver Akase, a media aide to Ortom and the State Publicity Secretary of  the PDP, Mr. Bemgba Iortyom, had accused Alia of  harassing and witch-hunting Ortom.

    This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    Alia said he was focused on governance and service delivery and do not have the time to go after Ortom or trivialities.

    He said that the Assets Recovery Committee inaugurated on June 22 was not to witch hunt anyone, but to recover government property sold and kept in the wrong hands.

    “Ortom was not and has never been the target, as his aide and the publicity secretary of his party would want the  Benue people to  believe in a bid to curry  public sympathy.

    “The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee, is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

    “In fact, all patriotic Benue citizens should be happy, and must commend the Committee for daring to carry out the assignment given to them by the government without fear or favour,”he said

    He said committees of this nature were not new in the State, adding that Ortom did same in 2015 and allegedly recovered items from individuals.

    “The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee, is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

    “But one thing is sure. Benue people were surprised to see the number of cars recovered at a property belonging to someone they once held in trust,”he said.

    Alia said Benue people witnessed a regime that was characterised by broad day rape of their common wealth.

    He said that his administration was out to render service to the people and not to engage in propaganda.

    “We witnessed a regime that supervised broad-day robbery and rape of our common patrimony. Let it be made abundantly clear that the old order is gone, and gone for good.

    “The good thing is that the discovery and retrieval of more Benue assets currently in the wrong hands, will provide the right ground for accountability in the Alia led administration in the state,”he said.

    The Assets Recovery Committee on Tuesday, raided a private automobile workshop company and recovered over 20 exotic cars from it.

  • Just in: EFCC Arrests Ex-Benue Governor, Ortom

    Just in: EFCC Arrests Ex-Benue Governor, Ortom

    Former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State i has been arrested by operatives of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi the state capital.

    The former Governor who turned in himself around 10 am at the Zonal Head Office of EFCC in Wadata, Makurdi Tuesday, is being investigated in connection with financial misappropriation, money laundering, abuse of office and other Sunday activities during his 8-year tenure which lasted between 29th May 2015 and 29th May 2023.

    During his tenure, several Aids who were invited by the anti-graft agency had linked the former governor with every financial transaction under scrutiny.

    At the time of filing this report, the immediate past Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Joseph Utse who was arrested recently was said to still be in the custody of EFCC in Abuja

    About seven petitions about corruption were said to have been advanced to EFCC against the former governor Samuel Ortom and his deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu.

    A few days before the end of his tenure, the former governor had confirmed a series of petitions against his administration during a conversation with stakeholders to anti-graft agencies. He indicated his willingness to account for his stewardship.

    In the company of the former governor were his former Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Terver Akase and former Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr. Abraham Kwaghngu.

  • I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC – Ortom

    I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he’s not a coward to run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when called for questioning.

    Ortom disclosed this at his cabinet’s valedictory session held at the old banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi.

    He said; “Anytime you are invited by EFCC, don’t be afraid to go, as for me I’m not a coward to run away from EFCC, if they come for me I will follow them.

    “I don’t have any investment in Europe all I have are in this state. If I have committed any crime let the person come and show me.”

    Ortom further appreciated his council members for their contributions to the successes recorded by his administration in the past eight years. He also thanked them for praising him and promised to ensure they continue to build their relationship.

  • Losing election not the end, Ortom Urges members to keep faith in PDP

    Losing election not the end, Ortom Urges members to keep faith in PDP

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has encouraged members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the state to keep faith with the party, saying that losing election is not the end of the road.

    Ortom gave the encouragement Wednesday, while addressing the last expanded stakeholders meeting held at government house Makurdi.

    Ortom said he decided to put together the meeting as an avenue to appreciate party men and women as well as Benue people for the opportunity to serve at various times in different capacities as state secretary of the PDP, it’s Vice Chairman in the state, national auditor and minister of the Federal Republic, describing the experience as wonderful.

    “The people stood with me especially when the state was under siege and the evil perpetrated during my reign as governor by the federal government in active connivance with some other sons of the state who were out to work against the state for crumbs”Ortom said,adding that the rejection of  our forefathers not to be enslaved has today given the Tiv,Idoma and Igede an identity as a people.

    He lamented that apart from being in opposition,as governor,he has personally being in crisis with government at the centre for his stand against injustice, expressing joy that the overwhelming support enjoyed from his people has given him courage and equally made him believe that he actually came,saw and conquered.

    The governor who said experience has thought him that life is about today, yesterday and tomorrow, expressed optimism that at the end of his administration doubting Thomas’s would compare his achievements with the other previous ones to be in a better position to draw conclusion for historical purposes.

    He said the APC led federal government has taken the country from top to bottom with challenges of insecurity,high level poverty and degrading social conditions of Nigerians and encouraged the people not lose faith or panic but continuously trust in God as the only one to provide solution to the present predicament, expressing optimism that God will help the people to survive.

    Ortom assured PDP members in the state that he would always be available for the PDP even after May 29 and would equally continue to stand for equity, fairness and justice even outside government.

    separately, Chief David Amo zone A,Mike Mku zone B and Christian Abba for zone C all said their meeting with the outgoing governor had strengthened the party and it’s members, expressing optimism that the party will bounced back with it’s members learning from their past mistakes to come out stronger.