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Tag: Ortom

  • JUST IN: NBC queries Channels TV over Ortom interview, demands response within 24Hrs

    JUST IN: NBC queries Channels TV over Ortom interview, demands response within 24Hrs

    The National Broadcasting Commission has queried Channels Television over the “inciting, divisive and unfair comments” made by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on the TV’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme on Tuesday.

    NBC made this known in a letter to the television station titled, ‘Notice of Infraction’.

    The regulator’s letter was dated August 24, 2021, and signed by its Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah.


    NBC said, “The programme which had as guest the Executive Governor of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, was observed to contain inciting, divisive and unfair comments which were not thoroughly interrogated by the anchors.”

    It said the actions allegedly negated Sections 1.10.4, 3.1.1, 3.3.1(b), 3.3.1(e), 3.11.1(a), and 3.12.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “Consequently, Channels Television is required to explain why appropriate sanctions should not be applied for these infractions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Your response should reach the Commission within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter,” the NBC said.

    Ortom, who was a guest on the TV programme on Tuesday morning, had said, “Mr President is pushing me to think that what they say about him, that he has a hidden agenda in this country is true because it is very clear that he wants to fulanise but he is not the first Fulani president.

    “Shagari was a Fulani President, Yar’ Adua was a Fulani President and they were the best in the history. But President Buhari is the worst President when it comes to issues of security and keeping his promises.

    “Go back to 2015, what did he say, human rights issues, he talked about press freedom, about the economy, corruption, security, tell me one that Mr President has achieved.

    “He has achieved some level of development in other sectors but these prominent things that are concerns to Nigerians and we are all worried about.. tell me when Mr President has come out to address them. Is it corruption, we are worse in the history of this country.”

    The outspoken fiery governor had also flayed the President, Buhari’s stance on open grazing. Buhari had approved recommendations of a committee to review 368 grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, “to determine the levels of encroachment.”

    “If Mr President respects the law, the Land Use Act gives governors the power to preside over land administration on behalf of the people that they govern.

    “So it is amazing and I am surprised to hear this coming from Mr President as if he doesn’t have an Attorney General, or Lawyers around him to advise him. I think Mr President was misquoted or he did it out of error. He should come out to apologise to Nigerians,” Ortom had added.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG yesterday published a report on how the presidency tackled the governor on Wednesday and accused him of using sectarian language similar to that of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, while reacting to the security challenges in his state.

  • Presidency says Ortom unfit for office, accuses him of inciting hatred against Fulani’s

    Presidency says Ortom unfit for office, accuses him of inciting hatred against Fulani’s

    “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.- Presidency

    The Presidency has accused Benue Governor Samuel Ortom of inciting ethnic and religious hatred, especially against the Fulani’s in his state, steering up a Rwandan-styled in selfish bid to to revive his (Ortom) moribund political relevance.

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Presidency also accused the Governor of deliberately escalating the farmers/herders crisis in his State, thereby causing more deaths of the innocent.

    It, however, claimed that the Governor chose the path of festering ethnic and religious wounds among the people in the state because of an alleged exclusionist agenda against a particular ethnic group, which it said the governor is concealing in the Ranches Establishment Law.

    According to the statement, the said Ranches Establishment Law is a ploy to withhold rights and freedom from the targeted ethnic group.

    “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.”

    The Presidency said the Governor is not fit for public office, expressing the hope that the people of the state would make a better choice in the next election.

    “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,” the statement reads.

  • Open grazing: We’ll approach court to stop violation of Land Use Act – Ortom

    Open grazing: We’ll approach court to stop violation of Land Use Act – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that his administration will approach the law courts to stop violation of the Land Use Act should the Federal Government insist on creating grazing routes and grazing areas in the state.

    He spoke on Sunday at the Makurdi Airport while interacting with journalists on his return from Delta State where he attended the burial of the father of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The governor stated that the Land Use Act is clear on the issue of land ownership and management, stressing that any attempt to subvert his right as a Governor through creation of nonexistent Cattle Routes would be resisted with a legal action.

    He called on lieutenants of the President to advise him properly on issues so that things would work better for the country, pointing out that insisting on cattle routes in the 21st century when states are enacting ranching laws was retrogressive.

    Governor Ortom stated that already, there is serious food crisis in the country due to insecurity and if nothing is done to curtail the trend, the situation would get worse in the coming years.

    Speaking with journalists, the Governor said the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration at the centre had provided an opportunity for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as an alternative to provide purposeful leadership for Nigeria in 2023.

    The Governor who also spoke on the issue of privatisation of government enterprises in the state said any of the advertised enterprises that is functional and its proposed sale is against the wishes of Benue people, he would go with public opinion.

  • Buhari’s handling of security not different from Taliban in Afghanistan – Ortom

    Buhari’s handling of security not different from Taliban in Afghanistan – Ortom

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has likened President Muhammadu Buhari’s method of tackling insecurity in Nigeria to that of the Taliban, the terrorist group which recently took over Afghanistan.

    Governor Ortom made the remark on Friday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase.

    The statement was titled, “Presidency turning Nigeria to a cow republic”, in reaction to Buhari’s approval of the recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch,” 368 grazing sites across 25 states in the country.

    The governor said It was clear that the Presidency wanted to plunge the country into avoidable crisis.

    He said, “In a country where insecurity has reached an all-time high with hundreds being killed by armed herdsmen, bandits, and other terrorists, the Presidency is only bordered about animals and their safety and is deploying all machinery and arsenals of government to impose grazing reserves and cattle routes on Nigerians. This is unacceptable.

    “The Buhari administration has turned a blind eye to the unimaginable levels of encroachment on lands belonging to Nigerians by cattle. Mr President has never come out even once to condemn activities of herdsmen and the attacks they visit on innocent people. The only time the President is heard speaking about atrocities of the herders is when he defends them.

    “It is now clear that the Presidency wants to plunge the country into avoidable crisis. Otherwise, what is the justification for President Buhari’s insistence that grazing reserves be established across the country when Nigerians have openly kicked against the policy and have embraced ranching in place of open grazing?

    “What is the difference between the Buhari administration’s approach to insecurity and the Taliban agenda in Afghanistan?

    “It is now evident that the government at the centre prioritizes the welfare of cattle over human beings and is bent on taking Nigeria back to the pre-colonial era with some snippets of a society wherein the words of Thomas Hobbes, life has become ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short’.

    “The country has been turned to a cow republic by the present administration and the basic principles of equality, justice, fairness and equity which engender peace and suppress anarchy are non-existent.”

  • Ortom hails police for rescuing kidnapped commissioner’s wife

    Ortom hails police for rescuing kidnapped commissioner’s wife

    Gov. Samuel Ortom has commended the Police Command in Benue for rescuing the kidnapped wife of his Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mrs Ann Unenge, killing the three suspected kidnappers in the process.

    Ortom, who was at the police headquarters in Makurdi on Monday to see the corpses of the suspected kidnappers, said that the feat was commendable.

    “I commend the Commissioner of Police in Benue, Audu Madaki, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for the successful operation.

    “I also commend the Commander of Operation Zenda and his crack team for gunning down the three suspected kidnappers. I am very happy with the success you have recorded,” he said.

    The governor also appreciated those who volunteered information that led to the success of the rescue operation.

    He ordered the immediate demolition of the building used by the suspected criminals and that the owner of the said building should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Unenge and her driver were kidnapped four days ago in Makurdi.

  • Save your energy for governance in Benue, leave Buhari alone, Tiv youths blasts Ortom

    Save your energy for governance in Benue, leave Buhari alone, Tiv youths blasts Ortom

    The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide has urged Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue to concentrate on good governance and refrain from criticising President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The President of the council, Mr Mike Msuaan in a statement on Monday in Abuja, accused Ortom of not providing dividends of democracy for people of the state.

    Msuaan urged the governor not to take delight in attacking Buhari at any slightest opportunity.

    He described as “hypocrisy driven to a rather ridiculous height’’ the accusations Ortom leveled against the president in his recent utterances.

    “It is curious that the governor who has used apparatus of state to intimidate critics from interrogating his inability to provide basic amenities for the people of Benue will turn round to accuse the president of intimidating critics.

    “Just recently, Mr Atsar Gundu who has been a virulent critic of Ortom was arrested in a gestapo manner and remanded in prison without trial for several months.

    “The governor, like no other in the history of the state is currently in court with several other citizens of the state, all in a bid to gag public outcry against his dismal performance,’’ he said.

    On the allegations of corruption against Buhari’s aides, Msuaan said that Ortom’s Principal Private Secretary and Adviser on Works and Housing were charged to court for alleged corruption for embezzling N4.7 billion.

    “Similarly, just recently, Mr Joseph Loko, the Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission and others were dragged to court by the EFCC for misappropriation of about N500 million.

    “We expect the governor to get busy with fashioning out a solution to the militia killings in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    “There are protracted communal crisis in Bonta, Konshisha LGA and Oju LGA which has led to the destruction of several lives and property worth millions of naira.

    “Also, the ongoing Ipiav and Yandev communal problems in Gboko LGA and many other crises should get the governor’s action,’’ he said.

    Msuaan commended Buhari and the security agencies and urged them not to be deterred by negative statements but sustain the fight against criminality and agents of distabilisation.

  • Ortom knocks presidency, backs Bishop Kukah on claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria

    Ortom knocks presidency, backs Bishop Kukah on claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has backed the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah over his recent comments on insecurity.

    Kukah had during an address to the US Congress Commission on July 15, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of showing preference to people of his religion which according to him, has worsened the rivalry between Christians and Muslims.

    Kukah said the Buhari administration has failed to address insecurity but the presidency had replied the Catholic bishop, accusing him of trying to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.

    The Presidency has since tackled Kukah, describing his comments as “unfortunate and disappointing”, complaining that the cleric “castigated” Nigeria before the US lawmakers.

    However, supporting the cleric via a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, Terver Akase, Governor Ortom asked the Federal Government to stop intimidating patriotic Nigerians who are raising genuine concerns over the worsening security and economic situation in the country.

    Ortom said he “stands with Bishop Kukah on the issues he raised,” adding that he would have said similar things if he were to address the same audience.

    “Governor Ortom states that the country is practicing democracy which has no room for repression and dictatorship,” the statement partly read.

    “He notes that the country’s Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens, unlike a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.”

    The Benue governor described the cleric as “one Nigerian who is selfless and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to ensure justice, the rule of law and equity for all.”

    He also took a swipe at the Presidency’s response to the criticism, wondering why the current administration has chosen to politicize the views of Bishop Kukah when all the issues he highlighted in his address are facts about the country.

    “He says Kukah was right when he stated that nepotism has been elevated above federal character by the present administration. He further agrees with the Bishop that Christians across the country are targets of elimination and thousands have already fallen to the sword of jihadist supremacists,” the statement added.

    See the full statement issued by Governor Samuel Ortom below:

    I STAND WITH BISHOP KUKAH – GOV ORTOM

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom describes as unfortunate, the response of the Presidency to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah’s address to the United States Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding the wave of insecurity in the country.

    The Governor says he stands with Bishop Kukah on the issues he raised and stresses that he would have said similar things if he were to address the same audience.

    He advises the Federal Government to stop intimidating patriotic Nigerians who are raising genuine concerns over the worsening security and economic situation in the country.

    Governor Ortom states that the country is practicing democracy which has no room for repression and dictatorship. He notes that the country’s Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens, unlike a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.

    He says Bishop Kukah is one Nigerian who is selfless and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to ensure justice, the rule of law and equity for all.

    The Governor wonders why the Presidency has chosen to politicize the views of Bishop Kukah when all the issues he highlighted in his address are facts about the country.

    He says Kukah was right when he stated that nepotism has been elevated above federal character by the present administration. He further agrees with the Bishop that Christians across the country are targets of elimination and thousands have already fallen to the sword of jihadist supremacists.

    Governor Ortom states that Kukah is not to blame for the ranking of Nigeria as the 8th least peaceful country in Africa and the rating of killer herdsmen as the 4th deadliest terror group in the world by the Global Terrorism Index.

    He expects the Presidency to rather be worried that Nigeria is ranked as the most terrorised nation in Africa with an average of over 2,000 deaths per year on account of terrorism.

    He emphasizes that the combative approach the Presidency has adopted in engaging citizens on issues will not solve the problems confronting the country.

    Governor Ortom says Bishop Kukah is not the first Nigerian to address a foreign audience on the security situation in the country. He recalls that in February, 2015 President Buhari was at the time the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, when he delivered a speech at Chatham House in London, where he stated that “Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals.” The President went on to announce to the world on that occasion that apart from the civil war era, Nigeria had never been more insecure in the country’s history.

    The Governor states that if a man who was seeking to govern the country could reel out such scary statistics, why will his aides now launch media attacks on a clergyman who is only advocating peace and is drawing the attention of the global community to the plight of helpless Nigerians.

    Governor Ortom once again tasks the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute members of armed Fulani groups for killing innocent Nigerians, the same way it effected the arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho to prove critics wrong that its fight against terrorism and other crimes is unbiased.

    He says the President may not be collecting proceeds from corrupt deals under his administration and may even not be aware that such shady deals exist, but some of his aides are deeply involved in corrupt practices and are denying Nigerians of the services and projects meant to alleviate poverty and hunger in the land.

    Governor Ortom maintains that the President may also not be aware that Nigerians are facing harsh economic conditions and many are being killed by bandits, herdsmen and other terrorists because some of the persons saddled with the responsibility of telling him the truth have refused to do so.

    He urges the Presidency to listen to the voices of reason and resist the temptation to whip into silence those who genuinely love the country and are offering solutions to its challenges.

    Terver Akase

    Chief Press Secretary

    July 24, 2021.

  • Nnamdi Kanu: Apply same zeal on herdsmen terrorizing Nigeria- Ortom to FG

    Nnamdi Kanu: Apply same zeal on herdsmen terrorizing Nigeria- Ortom to FG

    The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has urged the Federal Government to use the same zeal that led to the apprehension of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, against “armed Fulani herdsmen” terrorizing Nigeria.

    Kanu who is agitating for the restoration of Biafra was allegedly arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria where he was arraigned in court on Tuesday.

    Reacting, Ortom pointed out that herdsmen who have claimed responsibility for killing many Nigerians deserve to be visited with the same capacity.

    “If the federal government has the capacity to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in a foreign land, they should exhibit the same zeal to arrest armed Fulani herdsmen who are terrorising our country. The herdsmen have claimed responsibility for the killing of many Nigerians,” he said in a tweet.

     

  • Ortom to Buhari: No grazing routes in Benue

    Ortom to Buhari: No grazing routes in Benue

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has debunked President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement asking his attorney general to reopen all grazing routes as gazetted in the past.

    But Ortom said there is no grazing reserves or cattle routes in Benue State to be opened.

    “Grazing reserves are not in the Constitution. There is anti-open grazing law in Benue State and anyone who contravenes it would be arrested and prosecuted”, he said.

    Ortom spoke at the burial of Pa Daniel Akange Ape, in Tse Ape, Mbaikyurav-Yar, Mbayegh, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State,The Nation reported.

    He advised the people of Benue State to use legal means and defend themselves as they have cried enough.

    “We have cried enough, now it’s time to defend ourselves. We have talked too much and we are not talking again.

    “Get yourself bow and arrow. If they attack you, come out of your house, you don’t need a license to own a cutlass stand up and defend yourselves and land. We must defend our land.”

    He described the late Pa Akange as committed Christian who brought up all his children in a Godly way.

  • Ortom right about calling me a cattle rearer – Buhari

    Ortom right about calling me a cattle rearer – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to a statement credited to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom calling him a cattle rearer.

    The president said the governor accused him of not taking action about the herdsmen killings in the country because he is also a cattle rearer.

    “The governor of Benue State said I am not taking action on herdsmen killings because I am also a cattle rearer. While I cannot deny that I am one of them, however what is clear in that the cattle rearers do not carry anything apart from their sticks and cattles. But the people killing and wreaking havoc across the country carry arms and majority of them are foreigners;”.