Akume kinsmen drum support for Ortom

KINSMEN of Senator George Akume from Jemgbagh comprising Gboko, Buruku and Tarka today pledged their unalloyed support to Governor Samuel Ortom ahead of the 2019 elections.

The group also said that the enactment of the anti-open grazing law had reduced the activities of the herdsmen.

Leading the crowd that visited the government house yesterday, Mr Sam Tsumba said the visit was to register their solidarity with the Governor and to welcome him back to his former party.

Tsumba who expressed the readiness of Jemgbah to stand behind the governor owing to his laudable performance in office, said that the appointment of many of their sons into key positions including Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, as SSG and acting Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue Service, Mr Terzunwe Atser could garner support for Governor Ortom in the area.

Others speakers are elders Tarhule Nev, Ikyume Yongu and Mbakorlumun Chia for Buruku, Gboko and Tarka respectively who promised to continue to support to the Governor to provide purposeful leadership for Benue people.

They also acknowledged the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as landmark, stressing that the law had helped in no small measure in ending the activities of militia herdsmen.

The elders vowed to recall any of their representatives in the State Assembly who is involved in the illegal impeachment move against Governor Samuel Ortom.

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Responding, Governor Ortom expressed appreciation to the people of Jemgbagh for their show of solidarity, pledging that he would continue to work with them to salvage the state.

He noted that impunity should not be allowed to continue to rear its ugly head in the country, stressing that adding that allegations of embezzlement of public funds were ridiculous and those behind such would be put to shame.

Governor Ortom commended members representing Buruku and Gboko East constituencies in the State Assembly, Mrs. Ngunan Adingi and Ngohemba Agaigbe for their steadfastness in the face of monetary inducements, describing them as worthy ambassadors of women.

Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, pledged on behalf of government appointees from Jemgbagh, total loyalty to the administration of Governor Ortom.