Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom said there was no rift between him and the Catholic Church, Gboko Diocese.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Terver Akase on Thursday stated that governor Ortom understands and respects the decision of Goko Catholic Diocese not to allow politicians to speak during masses.
The statement was coming on the heels of public outcry that trailed the decision of the priest at St Christopher’s Catholic Church, Wannune, headquarters of Tarka Local government area of the state not to allow governor Ortom to speak at the 64 birthday thanksgiving mass held in honour of Senator George Akume.
The governor said that he had no ill feelings with the decision of the priest in charge of the Wannune parish not to allow him to speak during the mars in accordance with the decision of the Diocese.
The statement urged those amplifying the incident and making inflammatory statements for political reason to sheath their swords.
The statement added, ‘Governor Ortom is a God-fearing leader who submits himself to Christian authority and has enormous regard for the Catholic Church in particular.’
“He won’t allow the cordial relationship he has built with the church over the years to be jeopardized”, the statement concluded.