Ortom, APC, PDP biker over disruption of rally

Contrary to media reports credited to Benue State All Progressives Congress, (APC) accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership of unleashing armed hoodlums that disrupted APC rally in Gbajimba Guma local government area last Friday, the state Governor, Samuel Ortom has categorically said he did not instruct any person to disrupt any rally.

Ortom, in a statement signed by his Adviser on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua and made available to newsmen, reiterated his commitment to peaceful elections in the state. He called on all stakeholders to eschew violence and conducts that could trigger a breakdown of law and order.He appealed to his supporters to exercise restraint, even in the face of extreme provocation and to report any person or group that breaches the peace to law enforcement agents.

The governor, however, condemned the destruction of his campaign materials in Gbajimba and Daudu in Guma, as well as several other places, including Wannune in Tarka and Lessel in Ushongo local government areas. He called on the police and other security agents to arrest and prosecute those found culpable.He said: “Attempts to link me with APC’s failed campaign effort in my home local government area just to smear my name are baseless and unfounded to say the least.”

But the Emmanuel Jime/Sam Ode gubernatorial Campaign Organisation at a press conference last Friday, addressed by its secretary, Eugene Aliegba, said PDP militia attacked APC supporters in Gbajimba with AK47 rifles.He told journalists that at least five APC supporters had been confirmed missing, while many others were injured.

But in a swift reaction, Benue PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom said it was APC thugs that had earlier unleashed the latest spate of violence on PDP’s supporters at Gbajimba and Daudu. Bemgba alleged that the thugs violently assaulted PDP supporters and also burnt campaign materials, mostly billboards promoting Ortom.