Buhari should move against killer herdsmen, not Covid-19 violators, says Ortom
Kajo Martins, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has advised the Police to go after Ak47 bearing killer herdsmen rather than arresting Nigerians for failure to wear face mask as directed by the Presidency.
The Governor, who gave the advise while briefing the media at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi on Wednesday on his new Covid-19 status which returned negative, stated that killer herdsmen are moving about and killing innocent Nigerians without the Presidency moving against them.
According to him, for President Muhammadu Buhari to issue directives that anyone who fails to wear face mask should be arrested by the police amounts to triviality and distraction about tackling insecurity in the country.
“While I urged all Nigerians to respect all the laid down NCDC protocols as a way of checking the spread of corona virus in the state and country, arresting those who may forgot to wear face mask by security agents amounts to distraction and diversionary.”
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Governor Ortom said, President Buhari has deviated greatly from his oath of office when he declared, “I’m for nobody, but for everybody. When Fulani herdsmen harass, destroy and kill innocent Nigerians, the Presidency maintains sealed lips, but will be quick to voice out when they are attacked in defence.”
According to him, the silence of the Presidency over activities of herdsmen was capable of dividing the country “which our fore fathers fought to unite”, warning that enough is enough of killings and violation of the rights of citizens by herdsmen.
He pointed out that the 2017 anti open grazing law of Benue State which was criticized by some sections of the country is now a model which most geopolitical sections in the country are now adopting as a way of checking herders and farmers clashes.
Governor Ortom who said there is no plan by his administration to repeal any law including the anti open grazing law, commended Benue people for standing by him and promised to deliver dividends of democracy to the people even in the wake of recession.
He threatened to sack any appointee in his government found to be campaigning ahead of the 2013 general election, calling on interested ones to tender their resignation letter now, stating that it is also too early for him to declare intention for another position when he still has over two years to rule as governor of Benue State.
