Killings: I am sorry for open grazing comments, Lalong tells Ortom, Benue
In an uncommon display of humility and statesmanship for a Nigerian politician, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Sunday, tendered an unreserved apology to his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Ortom, on his earlier remarks that he had warned Ortom not to implement the anti-open grazing law.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Lalong not only apologized to Ortom and Benue people but also withdrew the controversial utterance which he made after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
The governor said that he was sorry for his remarks which he acknowledged were not helpful at the time he should have consoled and empathized with the government and people of Benue State over the gruesome murder of over 73 innocent persons by rampaging herdsmen.
He further extended his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those massacred on the New Year Day in Benue.
“I extend my condolences to the government and people of Benue over the irreparable loss. I apologize over my comments on the matter.
“Either arguments for or against do not help the matter because we are all brothers and sisters” the governor admitted.
Read Also: Benue killings: Don’t misquote me, Lalong tells media
According to him, Benue and Nasarawa states were created from Plateau State, noting that what was needed by the people of the two states was how to work together and find lasting peace for Benue and not debate on anything that could further lead to conflicts and carnage.
Before the apologies, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, had in Abuja told the media that he had warned his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, against implementing the state anti-grazing law recently passed into law.
He said that he considered it untimely to start implementing the law without proper alternatives.
He said, “To be honest with you, I advised him. I told the governor of Benue State when he was doing the law; I said ‘look, why don’t you tread softly, just be careful, take other steps before you start implementation.’
“But you see, states are different. His own concepts are different and for us on the Plateau, it is different.
“I said I will not do the law before implementation. I have not developed the ranching areas so I cannot go and say I put a law, to stop who? If I stop the people, what is the alternative?
“So, I said ‘do consultations allow the people to understand and buy into the concepts.’” Peeved by the comments, Ortom denied ever being counseled by Lalong on the new law, which had since gone into operation in Benue before the massacre early this month.
Myke Uzendu, Abuja
