Ortom, Suswam close ranks

BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam have decided to close ranks.

The duo had been estranged since 2015, a development that had heated the state’s polity.

The possibility of the two estranged gladiators burry their differences was high with the intervention of the Tiv paramount ruler, HRM, Professor James Ayatse.

Governor Ortom, who fielded questions from newsmen on Monday over the meeting said he and Suswam have decided to bury their differences after a peace meeting convened by the Tiv monarch, Tor Tiv, HRM, Professor James Ayatse.

According to the governor, ‘the meeting was a peace meeting and it was convened at the instance of the Tor Tiv.

“The Tor Tiv told us that he noticed that the relationship between myself and that of the former governor was not good and he advised us that as Tiv prominent sons, we should work together.

“That whatever were our differences, we should sheath our sword and work together for the common good of the people of Benue state.”

Ortom said that the paramount ruler told them that the crises in Benue today was as a result of their strain relationship.

He said that the monarch charged them on the need to work together for the interest of Benue.

On the report that the meeting was to help him, (Ortom) create a platform for his 2019 gubernatorial re-election, Ortom dismissed it, described it as a rumour.

He said that the elements feeding fat on the crisis between him and his predecessor were behind the rumours.

He said as a governor under the ruling party, there was no basis for him to seek alternative platform.

On threat to his life as a result of his posture on the anti-open grazing law, the governor who mentioned some names behind the threat said he had reported the matter to the police for necessary action.