Gov. Ortom of Benue State
By Peter Duru, Makurdi
As Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state ponders of his continued membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, youth groups under the aegis of Benue Youth Alliance For Ortom have urged him to quit the APC saying his travails in the party for standing with the people in the face of adversity were reminiscent of the Senator Joseph Tarka’s era.
The groups vowed to sustain their support for the Governor in his concerted efforts to give a new direction to the state in spite of the persecutions he was facing from powerful forces.
Reacting yesterday to the revelation by the Governor that he had been shown a “red card” by his party the APC, the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Iorliam Shija insisted that no political leadership in the state would be acceptable to the people outside that which was provided by the Governor.
Shija observed that, “Ortom’s presence on the political stage of the state is reminiscence of what was obtainable in the First Republic when late J.S. Tarka attempted the definition of minority rights in Nigeria.
“Since the era of Tarka, clear agenda and focused political leadership have eluded our state until the emergence of Ortom and it has become the duty of every Benue youth to save him this persecution by selfish politicians, whose actions are anti people.
“We have tried those who in their own estimation feel they are leaders in the state but they have failed us. What do we get as a result of that? Underdevelopment, lack of clear cut agenda and direction to move the people forward.”
“Ortom must be spared the ongoing persecution. When has it become a crime to stand by the people whose mandate you are holding in trust? We are satisfied with the unwavering determination of our Governor to secure the future of our state at the expense of his comfort and political career.
“Our assurance to the forces working against the interest of our people is that we will continue to stand with the Governor to the end in his dogged determination to giving a new lease of life and direction to the people of Benue.”