Benue not part of any agitation ―Gov Ortom

COVID-19, Benue

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that his state is not part of any agitation that is spreading in the country.

The governor stated this on Monday while meeting with leaders of various communities like Igbos, Yorubas, Hausa and South South at the new banquet hall of government house.

He promised that his administration is committed to providing needed security for all the residents of the state.
According to the governor, ‘this meeting is meant to prevent any move from any mischief maker who would come out from any agitation to come and attack or do a reprisal anywhere in Benue. I will personally deal with such person,” the governor said.

“I don’t understand what people are agitating for as governor of Benue, I am committed to one indivisible Nigeria, to provide security, eradicate impunity in Benue state.’

“We will continue to ensure fairness, justice, discipline accountability. That is the only way to add value to the society. We will provide security for all and sanctioned all those who go against the law.

The governor said that he is not happy with various agitations going on in the southeast and assured the residents of the state not to panic as hus administration would ensure their safety.

He also charged them as community leaders not to shield any criminal minded person within their environment.

In his remarks the Igbo community leader in the state Chief Albert Chuks stated that the Igbos  have no other name to call themselves than Nigerians.

“We have said we belong to one Nigeria and that even if anybody is looking for anything, it should not be by violence. That is what we maintained as at our last meeting in Enugu last Saturday. And that is why the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo is touring the 14 northern states as from 20th of this month.”

The leader of Yoruba community, Chief Kayode said that Benue is their second home and would always live in harmony among their neighbors.

The meeting was attended by paramount rulers of Tiv and Idoma nations, His Royal Majesty, HRM Professor James Ayatse and HRM Elias Ikoyi Obepa respectively and other traditional rulers and opinion molders in the state.

In their separate remarks, both the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional council to ensuring peaceful coexistence of everyone rewinding in the state even as they urged anyone with useful information about possible attack to report same to security agencies for prompt action.