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Tag: Ortom

  • The Igbo are accommodating and hard working – Ortom

    The Igbo are accommodating and hard working – Ortom

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed confidence in the Igbo people, saying they are accommodating and hard-working.

    Ortom, who disclosed in Makurdi, the state capital, on Wednesday when Igbo PDP Forum paid him a courtesy visit, said the South-Easterners are accommodating and hard working.

    According to Ortom, the Igbos are peaceful, stressing that they have the ability to live with other ethnic groups in the country.

    He vowed to continue speaking to authority on the incessant attacks on Benue people by suspected armed herdsmen.

    “The Igbo are accommodating and hard working. They are a group that can live with other ethnic groups and not like those that are killing my people and they want me to keep quiet.

    “I will never keep quiet concerning incessant attacks on my people by herdsmen until the authorities do the right thing. I will continue to speak against injustice,” he said.

  • 2023: Tow path of honour, resign now as you earlier promised – Ortom tells Ayu

    2023: Tow path of honour, resign now as you earlier promised – Ortom tells Ayu

    As the People’s Democratic Party, PDP crisis continues to wear different shapes before 2023 polls, the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has advised embattled party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to tow the path of honour by resigning as earlier promised if a northern candidate emerges.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Ayu had promised immediately after he emerged chairman that he would resign if a northern candidate emerges as presidential flag bearer.

    Speaking during the Executive Council meeting in Government House Makurdi at the weekend, Ortom urged Ayu to honour his words and resign as PDP chairman.

    It is the first time Ortom, the Governor of the home State of Ayu, has openly asked him to resign.

    The Governor said: ” Ayu told the whole world that if a northern candidate emerges he will resign. So where is the honour now to continue in office?

    “If you don’t want to resign beg for pardon. But it is not enough to say your tenure is four years and you won’t resign as you said it yourself “

  • PDP Crisis: Wike, Ortom, Makinde, two other govs snub campaign inauguration

    PDP Crisis: Wike, Ortom, Makinde, two other govs snub campaign inauguration

     

    The crisis engulfing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seems to be escalating as Governors in the camp of Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike on Wednesday snubbed the official inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

    The Governors include Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Wike.

    Some other stakeholders believed to be loyal to Governor Wike were also absent at the inauguration which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday.

    However, the remaining PDP Governors loyal to the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar attended the event.

    They include: Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Diri Duoye of Bayelsa State; Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Darius Ishaku of Taraba State; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

    The Delta State governor and running mate to Atiku, Ifeanyi Okowa, was also present at the event.

  • Ortom parts ways with Wike, supports Ayu as PDP chair

    Ortom parts ways with Wike, supports Ayu as PDP chair

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has denied support for the removal of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

    Ortom made this clear in a statement issued by Nathaniel Ikyur, his Chief Press Secretary, maintaining that he has confidence in Ayu’s ability to lead the party to victory in next year’s general election.

    Ortom’s statement goes in contrast to that of his ally, Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers, who leads a section of the PDP to which the Benue governor belongs to.

    The Governor in his statement said he worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens, to ensure that Ayu was elected “as the national chairman of our great party even against all odds”.

    “The governor could not, therefore, turn around to work against him to be removed from office,” he said.

    The statement further read, “Governor Ortom vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr Iyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration. That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the northern caucus of the party and got elected as the national chairman of the PDP at the party’s convention.

    “Where was Jemgbagh Development Association, when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu PDP’s National Chairman? What was their contribution to that project that they now want to use clannish stance to blackmail the governor?

    “This amorphous and emergency Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, which has never been heard of before, is now masquerading as the voice of Jemgbagh to embark on campaign of calumny against Governor Ortom, who has worked selflessly for the people of Benue State.

    “Governor Ortom is more Jemgbagh than most of the people claiming it now. This is fact, because he has done more for Jemgbagh, both in terms of appointments and projects executed as well as patronage in the area, than even one of the Jemgbagh sons, who was governor. Besides, Governor Ortom has consistently worked for the unity of Benue State and will never stand in the way of any of her citizens, either here in the state or in the diaspora

    “For those, who claimed to be leaders of this Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, we urge them to be truly developmental in their drive to build cohesion among the people and attract real development to their area rather than engaging in mischief or blackmail.”

  • PDP crisis: Injustice has been meted to Wike – Ortom

    PDP crisis: Injustice has been meted to Wike – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom of Benue has insisted that Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike is being treated with injustice in the ongoing crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ortom blamed the National Leadership of PDP for failing to use internal mechanisms to resolve the crisis.

    The governor stated this on Monday during an expanded caucus meeting of PDP in Makurdi.

    “The idea of dismissing people in politics that they do not matter is dangerous, because a single vote counts in politics.

    “Injustice has been meted to Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers and it must be addressed. Justice must be served him.

    “Wike stood and supported the party and he should be given due attention,” Ortom said.

    He appealed to governorship aspirants who failed at the primaries to keep faith with the party.

    He said that PDP was going to rescue the country from the hands of APC, emphasising that the party would rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

    He urged to party faithful in the state who were aggrieved to sheathe their swords, appealing that all forms of blackmail within the party should cease, as they work for victory in 2023.

  • David Mark urges Ortom to sustain peace, unity in Benue

    David Mark urges Ortom to sustain peace, unity in Benue

    The former President of the Senate, David Mark has urged Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue to sustain the peace and unity of the people of the state.

    Mark made the call in goodwill message by Mr Paul Mumeh, his Media Adviser, to the governor on his 61st birthday on Sunday in Abuja.

    He praised Ortom’s indomitable spirit in defence of the state so far and told him to remain resolute.

    “The security and welfare of our citizens are paramount and must not be compromised, “he said.

    The former president of the Senate enjoined told Ortom to ensure that the principle of fairness, equity and justice was upheld at all times in the administration of the state.

    “You will continue to enjoy the loyalty and support of the people of the state if you maintain balance, fairness, equity and justice in affairs of the state, “he said.

    He urged Ortom to bequeath a legacy of peace and unity to further cement the bond of brotherhood among the various ethnic groups in the state.

    Mark wished the governor good health, wisdom and courage in the years to come.

  • Developing story: APC sues Tambuwal, Ortom, Obaseki others over defection

    Developing story: APC sues Tambuwal, Ortom, Obaseki others over defection

    Sensing the danger ahead, the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has given its legal luminaries go ahead to sue Governors of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Samuel Ortom of over their defection from the party before the 2019 guber elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls this is coming after a Federal High Court in Abuja declared Dave Umahi of Ebonyi an illegal occupant of Ebonyi Government House after transferring PDP votes to APC after winning election under the umbrella party in 2019.

    APC is also challenging the defection of the former Senate President Bukola Saraki who also defected from the APC to PDP, asking the court to bar him from contesting any elective position in the country for the next 30 years, as punishment for the defection.

    It was further gathered that the legal luminaries for the job have since commenced the litigation process and will be in court on Monday.

  • Embittered Ortom narrates how security operatives barred him from receiving VP, Osinbajo

    Embittered Ortom narrates how security operatives barred him from receiving VP, Osinbajo

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has narrated how security operatives deliberately barred him from entering the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Base Makurdi to receive the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was transiting through the NAF Airport to Wukari in Taraba state by helicopter.

    The angered Ortom who had earlier received a letter of a notification dated February 10, 2022, from the State House Abuja, signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs/Head of Protocol Office of the Vice President, Ambassador Abdullahi Gwary intimating him of the visit, was however denied access into the NAF facility to receive the Vice President.

    Explaining to newsmen on what transpired, the Governor who described the incident as unfortunate and a breach of protocol said “I feel so sad for our country Nigeria where everything has been reduced to politics. There are certain things you don’t politicise.

    “I was to attend the burial ceremony of one of our elders and leader, Prof Ignitius Ayua; I had made all arrangements to travel to Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, then this letter (waving the letter) was brought to me, that the Vice President is transiting through Makurdi to Wukari

    “It is a normal thing, when distinguished dignitaries, like the President or the Vice President, is passing through your state, the Governor receives him.

    “I decided to mandate the Deputy Governor to represent me at the burial of Prof. Ayua. So, this morning I got prepared and went to the Air Force Base, where the Vice-President was supposed to land, en route Wukari. Unfortunately, I was barred at the gate; in my own state.

    “It doesn’t happen, this is a breach of protocol and this is not accepted; this is politics taken too far; this is not correct and somebody must account for this.

    “If a personality like the Vice President is visiting my state and I cannot go there to welcome him, then it will be a breach of protocol on my part. How can I go to the NAF base and I am barred at the gate; it has never happened anywhere in this country.

    “Maybe, the same Presidency that wrote to me is not aware. But I think we should if we must make progress, differentiate between politics and government activities. It is government activity that I welcome Mr. President or Vice-President; that I welcome any dignitary that comes here from the Federal Government.”

    Displaying the letter, the Governor said “this is the letter that was written to me, you can see the content. I don’t want to be a busy body; I have many things to do.

    “As I talk to you, the entire Gwer-West is under siege. The Fulanis have been burning down houses, and I was also supposed to go there but I had to shift all that to receive the Vice President. I feel so pained that politics has been taken beyond what it is supposed to be.

    “There is no permanent enemy or permanent friend in politics. Tomorrow I can be the best friend of the President if they chose to do the right thing. I do not have any problem with the President or Vice President, and all the things that I say are meant to add value to our development and get things right.

    “I have never insulted the President, the Vice President, or the Federal Government but there are certain things that they are doing which are wrong that should be corrected.

    “You will recall the issue of Executive Order 10; where does the President in a democratic setting have the right to issue decrees. Maybe because he was once a military ruler, he still believes that he would be issuing decrees. He does not have the right.

    “How can the President usurp the powers of the National Assembly? These are the things that I criticize and it is constructive. And today, thank God I am vindicated because the Supreme Court has ruled that the President does not have powers to be issuing decrees. He is no longer a military President, he was democratically elected by the people.

    “So if he wants anything he should pass it through the National Assembly, just like I do when I want anything I pass it through the state House of Assembly.”

    Continuing, the Governor said, “It is very unfortunate that this presidency is barefooted, it is a lame duck. And that is why we are having all these insecurity problems in our country today.
    That is why the economy of this country is going down.

    “How can you bar a governor in a state where you are? What is the meaning of that? I feel so pained and I’m going to report this to the Vice President. Well, if they choose to do something, fine. And if they don’t, it is okay.

    “But that is the kind of thing we keep talking about, they want us to remain as a banana republic. Don’t we have a constitution? Can’t you differentiate politics from other things? Have I insulted the President? Have I insulted the Vice President? All that I’m saying is that let the right thing be done. Let there be justice, equity and fairness. It is unfortunate.

    “I will report this breach to the Vice President because it was protocol for me to have gone to receive him and then see him off, and received him when he comes back.

    “It is really unfortunate. I feel very sorry. And those who are keeping quiet, I tell them, one day, they will not be where they are. We must come out together and condemn the evil that is happening in our country. This is not right.”

  • I’ve spent N680m on treatment of snakebites – Ortom

    I’ve spent N680m on treatment of snakebites – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says he has spent the sum of N680 million treating victims of snakebite in the State, in the last 22 years.

    This is contained in the checks conducted by the State Ministry of Health and Human Services.

    The Governor, who has personally maintained a retainership with Bishop Murray Hospital Makurdi for the free treatment of snakebites since the year 2000, disclosed this on Tuesday, during a meeting with MINDA PDP Elders Forum.

    The MINDA consists of people from Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association and comprises of Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-East and Gwer-West.

    The Governor, however, disclosed that owing to the increasing costs this has placed on him, he had sought the approval of the Benue State executive council for the State government takes over the scheme since it had overwhelmed him financially.

    The Governor while recounting the destruction caused by the invasion of three, out of the four local governments of MINDA, namely Guma, Makurdi and Gwer West by activities of militia herdsmen, lamented that thousands have been displaced and many others killed.

     

     

  • We’ll fight, vote against Tinubu in 2023 – Ortom

    We’ll fight, vote against Tinubu in 2023 – Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has disclosed why he would fight and work against the presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Ortom explained that he would urge his people to vote against Tinubu for insisting on continuing with the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari if elected as Nigeria’s next president.

    Recall that the APC National Leader last week informed Buhari of his intentions to run for the Presidency in 2023.

    The former Lagos State governor said he would continue with the policies of Buhari’s administration if elected as president.

    However, Ortom pointed out that Buhari’s policies and programmes were bad.

    He spoke on Thursday in Makurdi, the State capital, while assenting to the amended Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

    The Governor warned that the presidential aspirant would fail in his ambition if he opts to pursue Buhari’s policies.

    According to Ortom: “I heard about one of the presidential aspirants who said he would continue from Buhari’s good legacies. I want to tell him that if nobody has told him, me I want to tell him that Buhari’s policies and programmes are not good.

    “And anybody who is saying that some of us, in our own little way, we will fight him and tell our people to vote against him. So, he has failed ab initio.”