Tackle Security, Redeem your Image, Ortom Tells Buhari
Benue state Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to repair his “battered image” by addressing the security issues in the country.
Ortom’s comment is coming after a statement attributed to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman. in Abuja.
Garba Shehu had stated that Ortom was engaging in “dog whistle politics” concerning his claim that the federal government is working against efforts to solve the problem in the country.
In a statement, Nathaniel Ikyur, chief press secretary to Ortom, quoted the governor as saying that any time he speaks about how terrible the security situation is in the country, Buhari’s aides attack him.
“If the presidency assumes that I am wrong about my statements regarding the failure of the present government to tackle insecurity, I urge them to hold a referendum to get the feelings of Nigerians towards their ineptitude, complicity, and clear lack of commitment and sincerity in protecting the people,” Ortom said.
“It is sad and unfortunate that the likes of Garba Shehu have zero sympathy for the families of those being killed daily by Fulani terrorists.
“As long as their meal ticket is secured, they tell Mr. President to go to bed, that all is well with the country.
“Garba is a man whose loyalty is for sale to the highest bidder. He sings in high praise of the President today because that is his current source of livelihood.
“He will be the first to go against the President once the tables turn. He has done that before with other prominent Nigerians whom he served. A man who betrays his former benefactor for a new pot of porridge does not possess the moral right to question a patriotic leader like Governor Ortom.”
He also expressed concern that Buhari’s administration hits hard on groups like the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) however it treats killer herders with “kid gloves”.
“If I raised a false alarm, why have the Fulani terrorists who are veiled as herdsmen continued to kidnap and kill Nigerians unchallenged?” he said.
How many of the terrorists and bandits have been apprehended and prosecuted?.”
