Buhari’s Aide, Garba Shehu Accuses Ortom Of Fanning Embers Of Disunity

–Accuses Gov of taking the cheapest, lowest route by playing
ethnic politics

THE Presidency yesterday accused Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue
State of taking the cheapest and lowest route by playing ethnic
politics that causes deaths of innocent Nigerians.

The Presidency in a statement issued by the Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba
Shehu in Abuja, described the Benue State Governor as an unstable
character that should not be entrusted with the office of a
governor.

The Presidency’s statement was a reaction to the governor’s
comments when he (Ortom) appeared on Channels television programme,
Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, where he accused President Muhammadu
Buhari of having a fulanization agenda.

The governor, who claimed that he has been banned from going to
the State House, also accused the President of nepotism, alleging
that the administration at the centre favours only the Muslim and
the Fulani ethnic group from the north.

He also accused President Buhari of attempting to impose open
grazing to Benue State, while he (Buhari) had approved about N6.2
billion for ranching in his home state of Katsina.

However, the Presidency in its reaction to the allegations said,
“Governor Samuel Ortom has few political principles. We can see
this from the fact that he has changed political parties 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.

“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.”

–Accuses Gov of taking the cheapest, lowest route by playing
ethnic politics

THE Presidency yesterday accused Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue
State of taking the cheapest and lowest route by playing ethnic
politics that causes deaths of innocent Nigerians.

The Presidency in a statement issued by the Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba
Shehu in Abuja, described the Benue State Governor as an unstable
character that should not be entrusted with the office of a
governor.

The Presidency’s statement was a reaction to the governor’s
comments when he (Ortom) appeared on Channels television programme,
Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, where he accused President Muhammadu
Buhari of having a fulanization agenda.

The governor, who claimed that he has been banned from going to
the State House, also accused the President of nepotism, alleging
that the administration at the centre favours only the Muslim and
the Fulani ethnic group from the north.

He also accused President Buhari of attempting to impose open
grazing to Benue State, while he (Buhari) had approved about N6.2
billion for ranching in his home state of Katsina.

However, the Presidency in its reaction to the allegations said,
“Governor Samuel Ortom has few political principles. We can see
this from the fact that he has changed political parties 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.

“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.”