…promises not to contest 2027 elections
The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom has given a hint to why he left unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities in the State.
He said the indebtedness was not deliberate but occassioned by his hard stand for the Anti- Open Grazing Law which was the popular decision of the State.
Dr Ortom made the revelation yesterday at his Makurdi residence when he received Kwande Stakeholders on a solidarity visit.
The former governor who regretted the inability to clear the wages before leaving office said the situation was compounded by the economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic experienced during his tenure.
According to him, his strong resolve to work in the People’s interest on the anti open grazing law pitched him against the federal authorities, who, thwarted every efforts he made to secure loans to clear salary arrears, pensions and gratuities.
” They refused to give me the loans insisting that I must repeal the law. But I refused to sell my people, I was offered 40 billion to clear arrears of salaries; 35 billion for infrastructural development but I stood with the people”, Ortom revealed.
The former Governor while addressing the people promised never to contest the 2027 elections.
” I will not contest any position in 2027, I have no interest but will work for the interest of the people. Once you resolve with Senator Dr George Akume, Samuel Ortom will be number one. I will abide by what the people want”, he said.
According to him, God has made times and seasons for every activity, therefore, 2027 to him, would be the time for him to support those who had worked for him in all of his political contests.
” Let the people decided and I have resolved to stand by them”, he restated.
He, however decried the misuse of social media among Tiv youths and called on the people to halt the trend noting that insulting leaders of Tiv nation on such platforms does not add anything positive to the development of the land.
