Gov Lalong begs Ortom to forgive His Remarks on Benue Anti-grazing Law

Mon, Jan 15, 2018 | By publisher


Politics

 

SIMON Lalong, Plateau State governor, has apologised to Samuel Ortom, Benue State governor, over his remarks that he had warned him not to implement the anti-open grazing law in his state.

Lalong on Sunday also apologised to Benue people and retracted his gloating remark, which irked many Nigerians since he spoke after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, last week.

He told journalists at a media briefing in Abuja, that he was extremely sorry for the remarks he made at the time he should have consoled and sympathized with the government and people of Benue State over the gruesome murder of over 73 innocent persons by rampaging herdsmen.

Lalong said: “I extend my condolences to the government and people of Benue State over the irreparable loss. I apologise over my comments on the matter.

“Either arguments for or against do not help the matter because we are all brothers and sisters. Benue and Nasarawa states were created from Plateau State.”

Lalong pointed out that what was needed by the people of the two states was how to work together to find lasting peace for Benue and Nigeria and not debate on anything that could further lead to conflicts and carnage.

On Thursday, last week, Lalong had 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.”

Ortom has denied ever being advised by Lalong on the new law, which had since gone into operation in Benue before the New Year massacre.

– Jan. 14, 2018 @ 8:00 GMT /

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