By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Benue State government, north central of the country has expressed reservation on a statement that it was not including the leadership of the opposition party, PDP, in its efforts to end attacks on the people by herdsmen.
Reacting to the statement, Terver Akase, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ortom explained that government finds the allegation as untimely and unnecessary.
“The Benue State Government under Governor Samuel Ortom has employed an inclusive approach and brought stakeholders of the state irrespective of political affiliation to the same table to find ways of addressing the current security challenge of herdsmen attacks on innocent people.
“An example of such inclusiveness is the stakeholders meeting which took place at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi. Invitation was sent to leaders of PDP in the state, among who are the State Chairman of the party, Mr. John Ngbede and State House of Assembly members from the party.
“The presence of Hon. Sule Audu of Agatu Constituency, Hon. Kester Kyenge of Logo and Hon. Terseer Azuu of Guma among other leaders of PDP in the state at the meeting confirms this fact.
“Governor Ortom personally called his predecessor, Dr Gabriel Suswam and former Senate President, Senator David Mark and invited them for the stakeholders meeting. Dr Suswam told Governor Ortom that he was not in the country at the moment and could therefore not attend the meeting.
“We wish to advise that what has befallen Benue now calls for all hands on deck not political sentiments and diversionary commentaries. This is certainly not the time for political jingles.
“To demonstrate the seriousness he attaches to tackling the security situation in the state, Governor Ortom has suspended all activities relating to his re-election bid in honour of victims of renewed herdsmen attacks in the state.
“We owe Benue the duty to protect it against its enemies, and we can only achieve that if we reason and speak with one voice as one people tied together in the single garment of destiny.”
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/01/08/politics/opposition-in-nigeria-blames-ruling-party-for-inflicting-hardships-on-nigerians/