Benue women, youths in solidarity with Ortom as gov pledges people-oriented service

Women and youths of Benue State marched to Government House, Makurdi, yesterday, in solidarity with Governor Samuel Ortom’s stance on constitutional issues affecting the state.

Addressing Concerned Benue Mothers and Benue Youths during the rally, the governor reassured Benue people of his commitment to serve them, stating that he cannot be distracted by the antics of opposition elements.

Ortom maintained he would do whatever the people want.

The two groups were particularly protesting against the press conference organised by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, in Abuja on August 30.

“My people elected me in 2015 and re-elected me in 2019 against all odds. So, it is only what they want me to do that I will do.

“I cannot be intimated by anybody. I will not allow anybody to tamper with the desire of my people,” Ortom stated.

He reiterated that other nationalities were free to reside and operate in the state, so long as they operate within the ambit of the state’s laws, but warned that violators would be prosecuted.

Corroborating the governor, the Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde, assured the groups that nobody would take any Benue land under any guise.

Orbunde charged them to pray without ceasing for God’s intervention in any evil agenda against the state.

Leader of the women, Mrs. Hanatu Ullam, warned that the hospitality, which the state was known, for should not be taken for granted by the Fulani herdsmen.

She stressed that they would continue to support Ortom in his quest to protect the state from criminals.

Asking the Federal Government to fulfil its promise by releasing the N10 billion it pledged in 2018 for the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to enable them return to their ancestral homes.

In his address, leader of the Benue Youths, Inalegwu Adakole, corroborated Ullam by stressing that they would continue to throw their weight behind Ortom to succeed in securing their land.

Adakole further encouraged Ortom to vie for the Benue North-West senatorial seat in 2023 to contribute his quota to quality legislation of the country.

“The governor has demonstrated that he is a good lawmaker for initiating the Anti-Open Grazing Law, with most states now trailing behind,” he added.

The protesters were bearing placards with inscriptions like: ‘Akume, don’t set Benue ablaze again’, ‘Akume, Livestock Guards is not a militia outfit’, ‘Akume is a disappointment to Benue’, ‘All law-abiding people are protected in Benue’, ‘We say no to open grazing of cattle in Benue’ and ‘Akume come and tell Benue people what you have done for us as Minister’.