BENUE MAY RECOMMEND TSAV TO EFCC FOR PROSECUTION
Our attention has been drawn to comments made by one Mr Augustine Danmagana Alhaji Abubakar Tsav in the National Daily of February 22-28, 2016, that Governor Ortom should be blamed for the recent attacks and killings in Agatu local government area of Benue State.
The comments are most unfortunate and an overstretching of political partisanship that has marked the behaviour of the former policeman in recent times.
Those conversant with events in the state know that the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Agatu and several parts of the state predate the Ortom administration.
Incidentally, the voice of Mr Augustine Danmagana Alhaji Abubakar Tsav had never ever been heard on the matter when the immediate past administration which patronised him heavily was at the helm of affairs.
One is therefore, surprised that at a time Governor Ortom took several proactive steps to forestall the recent hostilities someone would make an unfortunate and inciting statement that he should be blamed for the the attacks and killings in Agatu.
Since assumption of office Governor Ortom has held several meetings with farmers and herdsmen in the state at which he canvassed peaceful coexistence.
He always urged the two parties not to take the law into their hands in the case of an infringement on their rights but rather to report such case to the relevant authorities.
The Governor initiated meetings with his Taraba and Nasarawa State counterparts in the search for peace within and beyond the state.
On Agatu particularly, he initiated moves to visit the people in Benue and Nasarawa States with his colleague, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, after a joint Security meeting of the two states.
Represented by his Deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu, Governor Ortom has visited Agatu several times and met with stakeholders many times.
He also met both the Vice President and President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter and secured more military deployment to the area as well as the attention of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant agencies to the affected areas.
Governor Ortom also responded to the situation by mobilising the security agencies in the state to move to stop further escalation of the crisis.
At his instructions the state government also provided relief materials to those displaced by the crises at the various camps in Ugbokpo, Ojantele and Ataganyi.
Through the amnesty programme he has reduced criminality in the state and enhanced the security of lives and property.
It is unfortunate that Mr Augustine Danmagana Alhaji Abubakar Tsav's nostalgia for the old order which put him on its payroll has beclouded his sense of judgment.
The discerning public is therefore urged to dismiss his comments which have been tainted by a craving to cast the new order in bad light on account of his partisanship.
With the benefit of hindsight it might be necessary for Mr Augustine Danmagana Alhaji Abubakar Tsav to state his contributions to the development of the state throughout his career in the police and upon retirement.
Apart from being an arm chair critic what solutions has he recommended to end the incessant crises or what relief has he brought to the affected as an individual?
On the other hand even before he became Governor, Samuel Ortom has been known for philanthropic and humanitarian activities such as provision of scholarships, treatment of the sick especially those with snakebites and hernia as well as care for the less privileged and vulnerable.
It could be recalled that when the people came under sustained attacks from herdsmen in 2014 he suspected his governorship ambition for one month and went about to explore avenues for peace in partnership with other major stakeholders.
Fortunately, his efforts and those of others yielded positive results and the attacks subsided.
Even though he has been a victim of the crises having lost many relations, his ancestral home, his warehouse, hundreds of acres of rice farm and other property, Governor Ortom has remained a peace maker.
To him, blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children.
Yet he who feels it knows it much more than someone who has no investment whatsover in the state but continues to search for relevance from the misfortunes of others.
Moreover, Mr Augustine Danmagana Alhaji Abubakar Tsav's stock in trade remains attempts to intimidate leaders with the objective of extorting money from them.
Unfortunately for the blackmailer, Governor Ortom has no skeletons in his cupboard and keeps challenging the former policeman and others to make public any corrupt deed they find against him throughout his private and public service career.
He has also demonstrated his civility, as well as adherence to the rule of law and due process by taking Mr Alhaji Tsav to court so that he could prove the false allegations he makes in order to justify his pay from sponsors.
It most be noted that even as Governor, Ortom has demonstrated exemplary leadership by challenging the people to return to agriculture by personally going to work on his farm.
On the other hand Mr Alhaji Tsav continues to make a living by running down respected leaders of the people.
Try as hard as he has to distract attention, the Ortom administration has remained focused by fulfilling its campaign promises to be transparent, accountable, just, fair and selfless.
It is also living up to the pledge to fight corruption and tackle the challenges confronting the people.
The searchlight on beneficiaries of the old order continues and if Mr Alhaji Tsav is found to be culpable, there will be no hesitation of recommending his prosecution to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Still, the former policeman can make decent money by tendering for jobs advertised recently in the education and other infrastructure sectors by the Benue State government and if his company qualifies he will surely be given one or more of the contracts.
Signed:
Tahav Agerzua
Special Adviser,
Media and ICT.