Benue killing: Ortom suspends 2019 ambition

As the death toll of killings perpetrated by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen continued in Benue state, Governor Samuel Ortom has announced his intention to withdraw from all political activities until something can be done to end the crisis. The governor, while lamenting the alleged herdsmen invasion in the state, said he has abandoned his 2019 ambition into God's hands as the situation in the state does not encourage campaign. The governor stated this during the emergency stakeholders meeting held at the new banquet hall of the Government House, The Sun reports.


He said: “I have decided to withdraw from every political activities until this problem is over. I cannot be a leader over dead people. 2019 is in God’s hand. This time, there is need for synergy, cooperation and unity among every Benue people across party lines.” He added that he has reached out to the former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam and former senate president, David Mark to invite them for an emergency stakeholder meeting.


“Yesterday for the first time in months, I called the former governor, Gabriel Suswam and former Senate President, David Mark to inform them about the stakeholders meeting today but was told the former governor traveled out of the country. This issue is beyond party politics.” The governor also claimed that the herdsmen are not invading the state to graze but rather to take over the land. He said: “These people are not coming for grazing but for occupation. It is not about grazing of cattle but about taking over the land."

Source: Naij.com

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