Politics
By Benprince Ezeh
THE Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, has dismissed as baseless the allegations of Tiv Youth Council, a faceless group, who said that Samuel Ortom, executive Governor of Benue state had nothing to show throughout his seven years in office.
According to the coalition, Ortom has returned calm and peace to Benue State by reclaiming it from the hands of certain elements who terrorised it.
The coalition’s statement, which was made available to Realnews on Wednesday, January 26, was signed by Goodluck Ibem, president general, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL and leader of COSMBYLA, Terrence Kuanum, coordinator, Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents, Shittu Waheed, coordinator, South West Youth Leaders Forum, SWYLF, and Tito Zokumor, president South-South Youth Forum, SSYF.
The statement said: “Governor Samuel Ortom is a humble man who does not believe in bringing all his tremendous achievements to the media because he believes that public office is an opportunity to render selfless service to humanity.
“In Nigeria today, Gov. Ortom is a role model given the fact that he is the only governor in office that speaks truth to power. It is only a man that is sincere to himself and to the people that will be in a position of authority where he is comfortable and has all he wants and still speaks truth to power.
“People with such rare qualities are difficult to find in this present time. Gov. Ortom has shown that there are sincere and upright men in power who can be trusted and relied upon.
“As it stands, the Federal Government has invested over N4 trillion in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, ISWAP and other terrorist groups in Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto and other states in the north and have yet to make headway in the fight to eliminate these terrorists. But in Benue state, Gov. Ortom is using the meager resources at his disposal judiciously to stop the notorious activities of the murderous Fulani herdsmen.”
According to them, Benue indigenes have witnessed with their very eyes the developmental projects and security exploits of Gov. Ortom. “His good intentions for the betterment of Benue state are not in doubt.”
Part of the statement reads: “Good reason and conscience demand that you support a man that is doing well. Gov. Ortom has done excellently well in all sectors despite the security challenges confronting him and we urge all and sundry to support him. Those inciting some youth to attack the governor are the true enemies of the State.
“One of the most expensive and essentially pivotal services provided by the government to its citizens is security. Governor Ortom has done very well to ensure Benue indigenes and other residents enjoy relative peace and security in the state.
“The governor has ensured that restive youths who would have resorted to crime are empowered; young women/men are trained on various vocational skills. These persons after training are given start-up capitals and equipment related to their area of specialization to start their businesses and vocational callings.”
They, however, stated that the coalition is not a politically affiliated group with any vested interest in governance other than its desire to see to actualisation of democracy and good governance. “It behove on us to even, in the midst of things, to set the record straight so that those not privy to the facts are apprised of same.
“This media brouhaha is just the handiwork of a few disgruntled elements using Tiv Youth Council who were denied the opportunity to feed fat from the state coffers as the governor’s prudence denied these elements such opportunity.
“Governor Samuel Ortom as the executive governor of Benue state has proved his mettle. Those attacking the governor should desist from cheap political blackmail and subterfuge and channel their issues, if any legitimate one exists, to the appropriate quarters as posterity watches,” the group said.
First published – Jan. 26, 2022 @ 19:34 GMT |
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Tags: COSMBYLA Samuel Ortom
