BY BIMPE ADEYEMI
THE Middle Belt Movement for Justice and Peace has berated a group, identified as “Friends of Buhari” for attacking Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State over his demand that the activities of armed herders, allegedly plunging the country into a major crisis, should be checked.
The Group said Governor Ortom deserved commendation and not “vilification” by anyone.
The MBMJP said the Governor spoke the minds of majority of Nigerians on the state of the country, adding that attacking him was confirming to Nigerians that the “Presidency is shielding armed herders who are daily killing, maiming and tormenting Nigerians.”
These were contained in a statement in Makurdi, signed by the Convener of MBMJP, Joe Bukka.
The Group said any media attack on Governor Ortom would be counter-productive as it would further demean and discredit the Presidency.
The statement read, “We read the media statement by the three groups who came under the Friends of Buhari to vilify the Benue State Governor for recently advising President Buhari to act fast to save the country from activities of armed herders who are gradually plunging this country into a major civil crisis. And our question is: what offence did the governor commit by that honest and timely advice?
“In the Middle Belt, we know Governor Ortom as one of the very few in this country who speak the truth always.
“A man who in the last few years has given his all even to the detriment of his safety and well-being to champion the call for ranching in Nigeria, which is gradually becoming a sing-song all over the country, deserves commendation and not vilification from any quarter.
“Moreover, he spoke the minds of majority of Nigerians on the state of our country. So, attacking him is obviously confirming to Nigerians that the Presidency is shielding armed herders who are daily killing, maiming and tormenting Nigerians.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any media attack on Governor Ortom who is regarded in the Middle Belt as the only mouthpiece of the ordinary man in government will be counter-productive as it will further demean and discredit the Presidency in this part of the country.
“And for the purpose of clarity, we must point out that testimonies abound that the Governor, aside championing the cause of the people, has and is still delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Benue State.
“Contrary to the claims of Buhari’s Friends, Governor Ortom has done so much in the areas of infrastructural development, construction of schools, roads, hospitals, electricity, water projects, payment of salaries and pensions and the provision of security for the people, many of who were displaced from their ancestral homes by armed herders and have been abandoned in IDPs camps by the Federal Government.”
