Governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom has debunked insinuation that he is purportedly against an Idoma man becoming the governor of the State.
Specifically, Ortom said he does not hate the Idoma nation.
Ortom, in a statement on Tuesday by Nathaniel Ikyur, his Chief Press Secretary noted that allegation against the Governor by a group, Benue Rebirth Movement, BRM is spurious and far from the truth, particularly as it relates to the 2023 governorship election in Benue state.
The statement read in full:
“The attention of the Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has been drawn to a widely circulated statement by the Benue Rebirth Movement, BRM wherein they claimed that the Governor hates the Idoma people and would not want them to be elected into office as governor of the state.
“This allegation against the Governor is spurious and far from the truth, particularly as it relates to the 2023 governorship election in Benue state.
“Since 2015 when Governor Samuel Ortom came to office, he has continued to promote the unity of the state with accentuated vigour. This is also displayed in the now famous ‘Unity Cap’ which he preaches to build unity among all ethnic nationalities in the state and Nigeria in general.
“Of utmost importance to the governor is the oath of office and oath of allegiance he swore to that makes every citizen of the state his primary responsibility. He has displayed this in both his appointments and siting of amenities as no zone in the state lags behind.
“The idea behind this is to show that Benue is for all and not just for the Tiv alone as the AVM Monday Morgan’s Benue Rebirth Movement, BRM wants the public to believe.
“It is on record that Governor Ortom had counselled the leadership of the Benue Rebirth Movement to reach out to their Tiv brothers to canvass support across all political parties, and not just in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for the purpose of an Idoma son or daughter to be elected as Governor of the State. That way, Governor Ortom believes there will be a singleness of purpose and approach for our Idoma brothers to have a level field of contest.
“We advise the Benue Rebirth Movement to do more homework by building trust and confidence with their Tiv brothers in their quest and not to turn and make Governor Ortom an issue in their contest for the governorship of the state. Governor Ortom is not against an Idoma man becoming the governor of the State. It is a process that involves everyone”.
