From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The immediate past Governor of Benue State Chief Samuel Ortom has said he outrightly rejected 75 billion naira from the Buhari administration to repeal the Anti-open grazing law.
Chief Ortom made this revelation at his first media interaction after leaving office held at his residence in Makurdi.
He said 40 billion was offered to him to clear all outstanding salaries, pensions and gratuities he had inherited from the Suswam government and another 35 billion for infrastructure on ground that he should repeal the Anti-open grazing law but he outrightly rejected it.
Ortom maintained that the law was promulgated for the interest of the Benue people and he could not have betrayed them by accepting such amount.
Hevsaid, “I did my best in the area of security. I listened to the people and implemented the Anti-open grazing law. Many persons including indigenes who rustled cattle were sent to prison. I want to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing Ministry of Livestock. He has been advocating for ranching.
“Between 2015 and 2023, Nigeria government was taken from top to bottom. We provided a law regulating cattle movement in the country. There is nothing like farmers/herders crisis, it is land grabbing. Ranching remains the best global practice for cattle regulation. Buhari government rejected ranching and created a big problem.
“In my opinion, the President is doing well by ensuring the rule of law. The issue of fuel subsidy is a scam by few individuals who were manipulating and milking the system. Long queues are no longer there and gradually things are taking shape as Dangote and others are reducing fuel price. There is enough money for Governors to pay salaries, it is as a result of removal of fuel subsidy. He is adding value to the country through his policies.
“For us to get it right, we must go through tough reforms. We need to be patient.”
Further taking a retrospection of his 8 years reign as Governor of the State, Chief Ortom said
God brought him at a time like that, saying he feels very fulfilled for the task he was able to perform for the Benue people.
Hear him: “Throughout my tenure I worked with stakeholders and together, we fashioned program to move the state forward. My government was anchored on the fear of God, equity, fairness and justice. I effected development despite the challenges I faced.
“Road infrastructure was a big challenge in the State. From Gboko to Otukpo. I opened up road 17.7km of roads from Terwase Agbadu to Apir. 7.3km Yaikyo road as well as George Akume road. 42 health clinics were constructed for Benue people. I renovated over 200 primary schools. Benue people take politics too far. They lie alot. My performance are there for all to see. Issue of payment of salary, pension and gratuity has always been a big problem until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board.
“I inherited 7 months of salaries from Suswam, 70 billion naira as arrears from pension and gratuity. I reduced pension by 38 billion naira and handed 5 months of salary arrears to Alia. They should bring records that I took loans and left the state in debts. I inherited 300 billion naira and handed over 187 billion naira to my successor. They only want to vilify me.
“That my administration operated 400 accounts is a blatant lie. This is why I went to court to stop the Income and expenditure panel as well as the Asset recovery committee from prosecuting me. If you serve as Governor you must be audited. I was audited for 6 years of my administration. The House of Assembly looked at my record for 6 years and gave me a clean bill. Vehicles were allocated to me by the State Executive council and it also, approved that the vehicles be given to those who served me. We are in court, I expect justice. I did not take vehicles away. I did not commit any crime”.
Commenting on the emergence of the coalition in ADC, the erstwhile Governor who insisted politics is a game of interest, said he does not believe in the coalition.
“In politics, there is no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interest. I do not believe in coalition. I remain a bona fide member of PDP. I am a BOT member and am committed to the party. I am not contesting election in 2027 if there is need for strategic partnership, I will be part of it. I still believe in Southern President. PDP will produce a Presidential candidate from the South in 2027 but if it does not, I will still support a Southern candidate.
“As leader of the PDP in the State, I have directed that all those who moved to the coalition be expired. If given any appointment by the Federal government that will benefit my people I will accept.
“Life after office, I have gone back to my businesses. I sponsored myself with little help from some persons, to be Governor. I was already a billionaire before becoming Governor. I am working here in a hostile environment, the government have been fighting to run me down.
“I ask Benue people to pray for the current admininstrstion to understand the gravity of what is happening. My successor is out to vilify and paint me in bad light but he will leave office one day. I am always available to stand my Alia and offer advise genuinely as no governor can do it alone we need to come together swallow our pride. Let’s put politics and political party aside it is about interest. Let work with the SGF”, he appealed.
