The Presidency has responded to Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom describing him as a fair-weather governor who exploited ethnicity and sectarianism to attain his ambitions.
The response followed recent accusation by Governor Ortom that President Muhammadu Buhari is making grazing routes a condition for peace.
According to the presidency, the governor is an ethnic jingoist who seeks to divide Nigerians. Ortom was also accused of being an ethnic irredentist who had failed politically, having switched parties a record five times.
The presidency in a statement issued on Wednesday by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, that it was regrettable that Benue State was controlled by such Governor who has few political principles.
“We can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career.”
Ortom incited hatred by targeting a single ethnic community “ Nigeria, according to the statement, using language reminiscent of the Rwandan tragedy.
“Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.
“Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.
“In an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.
“Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.
“As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a “secret Tutsi agenda” over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a “secret Fulanization agenda” over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria.
“This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.
“This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.
“These are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.
“For the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.
“The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness.”the statement concludes.
