Ortom Only Sees Problems Of Others, Not His, Presidency Reacts To Governor’s Allegations Against Buhari

*’We need cooperation not antagonism’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed disappointment
and sadness at repeated attacks on him and his administration by
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

He said “lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by
deploying them in political diatribe, which unfortunately appeared
to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame” by
Ortom.

The President reminded the governor that since he took an oath
to defend life and property of citizens, he remained committed to
it.

He spoke through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Ortom accused the President of having no interest in protecting
Nigerians following recent killings in his state, particularly the
attack on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. Seven persons
were killed in the attack by persons believed to be herders.

The President said it was unfortunate that “our own leaders put
region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group
against ethnic group and community against community” in the name
of politics.

He advised political leaders to desist from making comments that
further divide the country.

The President said the rising level of killings and other forms
of violence in various parts of the country, called for further
collaboration with security agencies.

The President expressed his condolences to the families who lost
their loved ones in the recent incidents in the state.

The statement reads: “The President states that the rising
levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in
various parts of the country call for further collaboration with
security agencies.

“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Governor
Ortom make a litany of accusations against his person and his
government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the
state.

“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the
killing of military men and innocent citizens taking refuge in an
IDP camp.

“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of
violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts
of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will
go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these
heinous acts and bring them to justice.

“The President continuously stresses that the strength of our
country lies in our diversity in faith, culture, and traditions and
attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern
Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities
that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and
resisted.

“As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide
and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against
region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic
group and community against community.

“The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country
lies in the harmony and the respect for law, order, and the
constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and
development.

“While the President will continue to keep security, police and
the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in
troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will
greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the
foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

“Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with
the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of
national strategic programmes in addressing underlying issues
militating against peace, progress and development.

“This can still get done when the interest of the people is
placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by
the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its
servants.”

*’We need cooperation not antagonism’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed disappointment
and sadness at repeated attacks on him and his administration by
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

He said “lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by
deploying them in political diatribe, which unfortunately appeared
to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame” by
Ortom.

The President reminded the governor that since he took an oath
to defend life and property of citizens, he remained committed to
it.

He spoke through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Ortom accused the President of having no interest in protecting
Nigerians following recent killings in his state, particularly the
attack on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. Seven persons
were killed in the attack by persons believed to be herders.

The President said it was unfortunate that “our own leaders put
region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group
against ethnic group and community against community” in the name
of politics.

He advised political leaders to desist from making comments that
further divide the country.

The President said the rising level of killings and other forms
of violence in various parts of the country, called for further
collaboration with security agencies.

The President expressed his condolences to the families who lost
their loved ones in the recent incidents in the state.

The statement reads: “The President states that the rising
levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in
various parts of the country call for further collaboration with
security agencies.

“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Governor
Ortom make a litany of accusations against his person and his
government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the
state.

“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the
killing of military men and innocent citizens taking refuge in an
IDP camp.

“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of
violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts
of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will
go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these
heinous acts and bring them to justice.

“The President continuously stresses that the strength of our
country lies in our diversity in faith, culture, and traditions and
attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern
Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities
that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and
resisted.

“As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide
and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against
region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic
group and community against community.

“The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country
lies in the harmony and the respect for law, order, and the
constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and
development.

“While the President will continue to keep security, police and
the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in
troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will
greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the
foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

“Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with
the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of
national strategic programmes in addressing underlying issues
militating against peace, progress and development.

“This can still get done when the interest of the people is
placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by
the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its
servants.”