A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEEED

The death of the 73 citizens of Benue state who were murdered by rampaging Fulani herdsmen has indeed shown the Benue people where their true friendship lies.

It will be recalled that Governors on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC had visited Benue state on an acclaimed commiserating visit, a visit which many have adjudged as a mockery visit given that the only pronounced words on their lips during the visit was the castigation of the South-south, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Middle Belt forum that Visited to Benue state earlier, they did not show any form of sympathy to the Benue people.

It is unfortunate to know that a delegation which comprised of Mr. Kashim Shetima of Borno state, Barr. Simon Lalong of Plateau state, Mallam El Rufai of Kaduna state, Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Mohammadu Abubakar of Jigawa state and the Deputy of Governor of Osun state, Chief Mrs. Grace Titilayo Tomori came on a sympathy visit to Benue state without a tea spoon in their hands let alone cash donations.

In a similar vein the National Chairman of APC Chief John Oyiegun came to Benue state during the burial of this anti open grazing heroes without a toilet tissue.

Today a high powered delegation of the Rivers people led by Gov. Nyesom Wike and donated a sum of N200 million to the Benue state government to ameliorate the sufferings of the displaced persons and also took out time to visit the graves of the dead people.

Where does the Fate of Benue state lies in this political marriage called Northern Nigeria and the All Progressive Congress, APC.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Dan Mashin is a Radical Activist

POLICE OUGHT TO BE NEUTRAL AND PROTECT ALL

We read statements credited to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as having blamed the recent killing of innocent Benue people by herdsmen on the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.

We thought that the IGP was misquoted and expected the police authorities to issue a rebuttal to the reports hence our delay in responding swiftly.
Consequently, we have to respond to the erroneous impression which the reports have created.

Indeed it was this unrelenting spate of attacks that prompted the people of the state to seek a permanent solution to the incessant crisis between farmers and herders hence the law for the establishment of ranches as the best method of animal husbandry across the globe.

The law which has constitutional backing followed due process with the requisite public hearings and input from various stakeholders. The police authorities had ample opportunity to also make input while the process was ongoing. They however failed to do so.

The unfortunate claim by the IGP indicates that some of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property as well as maintaining law and order have abdicated their duty and become accomplices with those undermining the very existence of the country.
This is shameful.

If truly the IGP said what was widely reported by the media, our conclusion is that his is a clear case of a man who is either on a mission to mislead the nation or is complicit in the attacks on Benue communities and the killing of many people by terror herdsmen.

IGP Idris needs to be reminded that Fulani herdsmen attacked Benue State more than 50 times and killed scores of people before the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was enacted in the state. The law could therefore not have been the cause of the crisis

The IGP should tell Nigerians if states like Adamawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Edo, Plateau among others where armed herdsmen have killed hundreds of people also have anti-open grazing laws in place.

It will be recalled that a few days after the killings took place and all fingers were pointed towards the direction of armed herdsmen, the IGP quickly rose in defence of the herdsmen and frantically tried to divert attention from the genocide being perpetrated by herdsmen with a comment that it was a 'mere communal clash'. Did he not know that there was a law in place in Benue State when he made that statement?

With his latest demand that the ranching law of Benue be suspended, it is now clear where the loyalty and interest of the Inspector General of Police lies - certainly not with innocent Nigerians. He has now positioned himself not only as the mouthpiece of those who are killing Benue people but indeed as their shield. Little wonder herdsmen still proudly carry about sophisticated weapons and willfully terrorize innocent people in the state without being arrested.

We wish to place it on record that contrary to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Inspector General of Police should relocate to Benue to ensure that the killings stop, the IGP spent only one day in Benue and left for a destination where only he could tell. No one has seen him in Benue since that day.

Nigerians must know that contrary to the statement credited to the IGP, herdsmen are still killing people in Benue. It will therefore be wrong to say that enough security has been provided. At the last count after the mass burial of 73 victims of the attacks, about ten people have been killed in Guma Local Government Area, one killed in Logo and many more are receiving treatment in the hospital having suffered varying degrees of injuries with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Benue now has nearly 100, 000 displaced persons in seven camps established by the State Government. We therefore find IG Ibrahim Idris' statement as mockery and a shameful dance on the graves of those killed in the state by herdsmen.

The constitutional responsibility of the police is to maintain law and order and not to make or criticise same.
That the IGP would have the audacity to blame a law made to ensure peace in the state and call for its repeal amounts to taking sides with lawless groups that gave notice to invade and carried out their threats.
There is no surprise that the police ignored petitions for the arrest and prosecution of leaders of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the masterminds of the current invasion and the attendant massacre.

If the Inspector General of Police, Mr Idris is not competent to help bring an end to the invasion and killing of innocent people in Benue and other states by herdsmen, the noble thing to do is to resign instead of twisting facts to suit his objective.

Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary
February 3, 2018.

More pictures

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, today flagged off the presentation of 500 start-up kits procured by the state government to youths who graduated in five trade areas under the National Industrial Skills Development Program of the Industrial Training Fund.

The trainees who received skills for three months in Plaster of Paris, Fisheries, Confectionery, Welding and Fabrication as well as Tailoring and Garment making were presented with Start up packs at their graduation ceremony held at the Ultra International Market, Makurdi.
Addressing the graduands, Governor Samuel Ortom urged them to make good use of the opportunity provided by setting up their businesses in order to generate wealth and also boost the economy of the state.

He noted that having identified skills acquisition as a step towards reducing unemployment in the state, the executive council approved the establishment of three technical colleges across the three geopolitical zones of the state to equip youths with requisite skills to add value to their lives and the society.
The Governor assured that his administration would continue to partner with agencies and institutions to ensure that Benue people access skills and working capital to support their business enterprises.

He said his administration was prepared to sponsor more youths in addition to those in the next round of training by the ITF.
Director General of the organization, Mr. Joseph Ari, commended the Benue State Government for providing the starter packs for the trainees and enjoined them to remain committed and dedicated to making a success out of the kits.
Mr. Ari stated that the agency would soon commence another training of 300 youths in each state of the federation who would be provided with starter packs by the agency and called on the Benue State Government to add another 200.
Commissioner of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Tersoo Kpelai, expressed appreciation to the Industrial Training Fund for the partnership and for its commitment on delivering on thir mandate.

He stated that the graduates have been grouped into cooperatives for effective utilization of the kits.
Two of the beneficiaries, Martins Adu and Daniel Ajonye said the training has provided them with the opportunity to become self reliant and thanked the ITF and Benue State Government for the training.

Tahav Agerzua
SA on Media & ICT

In view of the commencement of the Open Grazing Prohibition law, the Benue state governor today donated vehicles and motorcycles to livestock guards and Benue Vigilante for monitoring and endorsement

More

In view of boosting security in Benue state, the Governor today at the Benue Peoples House Presented Vehicles to the Security agencies

FLOOD FUNDS: 50 MILLION NOT BILLION
By Terver Akase
While answering a question put to him by one of the reporters at the interactive session last week in Abuja regarding the total of funds so far spent by Benue State to manage this year's flood, Governor Samuel Ortom said N50 million.
The report(s) which quoted the Governor to have said the state has spent N50 billion on the flood therefore is in error.
Find below accurate reports on the said amount from other newspapers which also covered the interactive session:
Ortom Seeks Lawful Conduct of Agitation, Wants Transgressors Punished https://
www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/
2017/09/22/ortom-seeks-lawful-conduct-of-agitation-wants-transgressors-p
unished/
http://leadership.ng/2017/09/24/salary-shortfall-benue-ortom/
Ortom Seeks Lawful Conduct of Agitation, Wants Transgressors Punished
thisdaylive.com

FLOOD FUNDS: 50 MILLION NOT BILLION
By Terver Akase
While answering a question put to him by one of the reporters at the interactive session last week in Abuja regarding the total of funds so far spent by Benue State to manage this year's flood, Governor Samuel Ortom said N50 million.
The report(s) which quoted the Governor to have said the state has spent N50 billion on the flood therefore is in error.
Find below accurate reports on the said amount from other newspapers which also covered the interactive session:
Ortom Seeks Lawful Conduct of Agitation, Wants Transgressors Punished https://
www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/
2017/09/22/ortom-seeks-lawful-conduct-of-agitation-wants-transgressors-p
unished/
http://leadership.ng/2017/09/24/salary-shortfall-benue-ortom/
Ortom Seeks Lawful Conduct of Agitation, Wants Transgressors Punished
thisdaylive.com

Home Lesson

For your Child's Home Lesson Abuja, call 07035574108

For your Child's Home Lesson in Abuja, call 07035574108

For your child's Home Lesson in Abuja, call 07035574108

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Pictures

OBASANJO RECOMMISSIONS BENUE SCHOOLS OF NURSING, MIDWIFERY....

By: Tahav Agerzua...

Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo today recommissioned the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi, Benue State, which the Governor Samuel Ortom adminsitration reconstructed.

He expressed excitement at the reopening of the schools saying it was callous and a sad commentary on those who allowed the institutions to lose accreditation for several years.

The former President noted that it was significant that he performed the recommissioning while he was in the state for a campaign for Zero Hunger, noting that good food and nutrition were the beginning of good health.

He charged the students to be committed to the Nursing and Midwifery professions stressing that they carried great responsibilities having to do with the saving of lives.

Chief Obasanjo noted that healing was a great part of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and as such those who had such a responsibility were in good company.

He praised Governor Ortom for reconstructing and restoring accreditation to the schools and prayed that God would bless him and the state.
The Governor had explained that the institutions had lost accreditation for four years on account of dilapidation of infrastructure and equipment a situation which he reversed and obtained their reaccreditation.

The Governor stated that his administration reconstructed the two schools on account of their contribution to health care delivery in the state and beyond noting that graduates of the schools found ready employment upon the completion of their studies.

He stated that the School of Nursing resumed academic activities with 85 student nurses and 20 post basic students while that of Midwifery admitted 35 new students.

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Pictures

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom this afternoon at IBB square, Makurdi announced the release of N100,000,000 to enable 20,000 youths and women of the state who have completed training in various agro and allied industrial skills begin life as entrepreneurs.

Governor Ortom said he has approved the funds under a micro credit facility but at zero interest rate for the beneficiaries.

He assured the beneficiaries that his administration would do more to support them.

The training was organized by the Benue State Government in collaboration with Centre for Youths and Women Skills Acquisition (CYWSA).

Terver Akase CPS

Coverpage

Attention Wike and the Joke Called Paul Mumeh a misguided Media Aide.
Follow the link to view and Download Gov Ortoms Achievements in Two years.
http://samuelortom.com/publications/Governor_Ortom's_Two_Year_Scorecard.pdf

Private Home Lesson Abuja

The farm implements

Wheelbarrows

SEMA DISTRIBUTES WHEELBARROWS, FARM IMPLEMENTS TO BENUE FARMERS

By Jimin Geoffrey

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, today commenced distribution of Wheelbarrows, rain boots and farm implements including hoes and cutlasses to some displaced Benue farmers who had returned to their homes or resettled in other places to facilitate their farming activities.

Speaking during the distribution of the items at the SEMA temporary warehouse at the industrial layout in Makurdi, store keeper of the agency, Mr. James Iorkyaa, who represented his boss, Boniface Ortese said the items were meant for displaced persons in local governments areas affected by farmers/herders clashes.

According to him, the items were being distributed by SEMA in conjunction with National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and were meant to assist victims of herders/famers clashes and other natural disasters.

It is part of government's efforts towards boosting farming activities in the state as a way of diversifying the economy through agriculture.

Mr. Iorkyaa stated further that it had become necessary for Benue people to brace up for massive farming activities this rainy season especially now that the open grazing prohibition bill had been passed by the State Assembly and awaiting assent by Governor Samuel Ortom.

Pictures

BENUE FERTILIZER BLENDING PLANT COMMENCES PRODUCTION

By Terver Akase

Governor Samuel Ortom, accompanied by his Deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu and other members of the State Executive Council, today inspected work at the refurbished state fertilizer blending plant in Makurdi.

The concessionaire, Mr Moses Adi, took the Governor round the production and administrative areas of the plant. He gave assurance that with effect from this cropping season, Benue farmers would have no cause to look outside the state to purchase fertilizer as the company is set to commence full production in the next couple of days.

Governor Ortom who later spoke to newsmen on the fertilizer blending plant, said the decision to revive the company is one of his administration's priority measures to boost agriculture:

His words:

"This is in keeping covenant with the people of Benue State in ensuring that Benue as the food basket of the nation continues to get its fertilizer right here in Makurdi. And that plant has the capacity of even extending its services to other parts of this country. That is why the concessionaire has been in touch with the federal government to tap into the policy of Government to provide raw materials for our farmers and ensure that fertilisers are sold at five thousand five hundred naira per bag across the board and that has been done.

"We have taken the right step in the right direction by bringing the right concessionaire as you can see things for yourself. The plant has under gone test production and is ready for commissioning. I am told that within one week, it will be ready for commissioning so we do not need to go very far to begin to obtain fertiliser for our people. So that is one more step that we have gotten right."

Wike alleged that there is plan to disrupt the roads he intends to construct in Benue.

My questions are
1. was the road project captured in his 2016 or 2017 budget?
2. was the procurement act followed
3. was due delligence followed

if the projects were not captured in his budget, then the Rivers state House of Assembly, should impeach Wike for misappropriation.
my take

ORTOM: WIKE, PDP ARE FLUTES FOR CORRUPTION

We read with uttermost amusement recent media reports credited to River state Governor, Nyesom Wike and Mr. Felix Obuah, the state chairman of the once largest party in Africa but now the humiliated and cremated party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

They cynically invited the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom for a tour of projects across Rivers State.

While we took a stand not to join issues with Governor Nyeson Wike over his constant insults on the person and office of Governor Samuel Ortom, because he is a bulldog who barks at every image he sees around.
But we decided to let Wike and his co-travellers know that they are living in the past, hence only those who are living in the past like Wike would think that it is only by visiting a particular place that one would know what is happening in the place even in this digital age.

If Wike and PDP Rivers state must know, when Governor Ortom took over on May 29th, 2015, the state owned University was under lock and key. It was when Governor Ortom took over that he was able to meet most of the demands of the University lecturers and the school gates were again reopened for academic activities and the University has not witnessed any strike since the coming on board of the Ortom administration.

It may interest these meddlesome interlopers to note that at the same University, Medical students who stagnated for over twelve years without graduation, graduated in the first five months of Ortom's administration after he secured the accreditation for the College of Health Sciences and the Benue State University Teaching Hospital within his short time in office. Interestingly, Benue State University has graduated four sets of medical doctors totalling 152.

Wike should know that the people of Benue state know that the number of ongoing road projects and the ones already completed in Benue state under Governor Ortom's short stay in office are far ahead of the ones executed by Governor Wike even with the fat allocation that is a trade mark of River state.

For their information the Benue state Government under Governor Ortom has undertaken the completion of 10 of abandoned road projects by the past administration across the state. The roads include;1. Zaki Biam - Afia - Gbeji road 46.52km, 2. Taraku - Naka - Agagbe road 61km, 3. Oju - Obussa - Utonkon road 52.00km, 4. Otukpo - Utonkon - Igumale road 55.61km, 5. Oshigbudu - Ogbaji road 10km, 6. Igbor - Ikpa - Wannune road 36.732k, 7. Vandeikya – Koti-Yough - Adikpo road 32.00km, 8. Ge - Ikyobo - Agbeede - Amua - Anshagba road 37km, 9. Tordonga - Zaki Biam with spur to Tsewuaze - Tiza - Shila road 45.14km, 10. Daudu - Gbajimba road.

In similar vein, the Ortom administration has awarded the construction of the following new roads across the state;
Obagaji-Okokolo-Abian-Agagbe road 43km, Ikov-Utange-Mbagwaza-Mbagba-Lessel road with spur at Hiltom 55km, Otukpo Icho-Odudaje-Aondoana road 21km, Makurdi-Yogbo-Udei-Udei branch road 52.27km, Mobile Police Barracks - Yaikyo - Apir road 24km, Origbo - Imande - Akpur - Gbajimba road 40. 397km.

The above mentioned roads do not include the ongoing work on 45 rural roads across the state.

Governor Ortom's achievements in the other sectors abound like, Health, Education, Agriculture, Industrilization, Water, ICT, MDGs/SDGs and Security from which Wike himself copied the amnesty program.

Between Wike, Rivers state PDP and Benue state, who needs invitation for projects tour?

Perhaps, Governor Wike's hatred of Ortom is as a result of Governor Ortom success story in all spheres of life.

It should be recalled that when Wike was supervising minister for Education, he awarded contracts for the construction of Junior Girls Secondary Schools , Gbajimba, Anyiin and Gbatse, but he diverted the money for his private pocket therefore abandoning the projects at the foundation stage.

Nothing could be said to be further from the truth. If Wike said he has set aside the sum of N4 billion to construct roads in Benue state, then certainly, it is the money he diverted to his personal pocket and refused to construct the above mentioned schools in Benue state. So the man Wike was not lying when he made that statement.

We want to use this medium to call on the man Wike to as matter of urgency, go back to site and complete those abandoned projects or else we shall lodge a formal petition against him at the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, for embezzlement of public funds.

During the time Wike was supervising minister of Education, the Academic Staff Union of Polytheistic (ASUP) strike which began one week before he was appointed to supervise the ministry, lasted for more than six months, with Wike having no clue on how to end the strike. Meanwhile, Governor Ortom was busy doing wonders at the ministry of Aviation, the development that prompted the former President Goodluck to commend him.

Another reason might be that, when both resigned as ministers to run for the governorship tickets in their respective states, Wike received the endorsement of the former First Lady of Nigeria , on the other hand, the same former first lady endorsed Governor Ortom's main rival in 2015 who was rejected by a good number of Benue electorate.

But when Governor Ortom defeated the former first lady's candidate in the state, who was in the same association with Wike as candidates sponsored by the former First Lady, Governor Wike whose election victory was characterized by irregularities and intimidation became furious.

We are aware of the tactics devised by Wike and billions of Rivers state money he used in sponsoring the Tribunal, Appeal and Supreme Court Judgements against Ortom.

Rather than meddle in the affairs of Benue state, Wike should concentrate on giving the people of Rivers state the dividends of democracy that have eluded them since his administration took over the reins of power.

We want to call on Wike and PDP to give more effort in curbing the menace of security challenges facing the people of Ogoni Land and plethora of pension arrears he is currently owing River state pensioners.

Berger Alfred Emberga Mrp,
State Ag. Publicity Secretary, APC, Benue state.
29th March, 2017.

I’M NOT SERVING WIKE, I WON’T JOIN ISSUES WITH HIM – ORTOM

By Tahav Agerzua

After he held a security council meeting with stakeholders from Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Logo, and Kwande local government areas at the Benue Peoples House today, Governor Samuel Ortom interacted with journalists who asked questions about the meeting and other issues. Excerpts:

How was your meeting?

It’s been wonderful and we appreciate God, all of them were here as you can see and the meeting went on very well. It’s not just the traditional rulers but elders and other stakeholders from four local governments. We have agreed on the strategies to adopt. One of the most impressive things about this meeting is the fact that we’ve been able to identify the problem in Sankera. The issue is not communal clash, it’s not about the various local governments fighting one another, it’s about the criminal elements that are involved in this matter and we have identified them. We’ll go after them with the support of the security agencies and the communities and the traditional rulers and we will be able to fish them out. All that the criminals want to do is to put the people at logger heads and we have been able to identify that and we have agreed that we will not be taken into their trick to begin to fight one another. There is no point. We have identified those criminal elements because we are not ready to surrender the state to criminals to take over and continue to unleash terror on our people.

Having identified the culprits, how soon can Benue people in this area begin to sleep with their two eyes closed?

With immediate effect and with the support of Mr. President and the security agencies and with what I have now, I think we can contend with the situation but if I need more I will ask but so far, so good, they know and they are all on the run – the criminal elements. Once we have been able to identify them, we will sanction them according to the law. One thing I will continue to say is that people should not take law into their hands. We are law abiding citizens and we must continue to do the right thing at all times and report breaches and trespasses and infringements wherever you find them; whether it’s from the herdsmen, or from the farmers, report to us and we are ready to take on the criminal thing that is happening within the society. Like I keep saying, the issue of security is not just for government, it’s not just for security agencies; it’s for all of us. At least, when it comes to intelligence gathering, we must gather this information for security agencies to act upon. But when it is not reported, it becomes a little bit difficult and with the resolve we have had in this meeting, from that axis, I believe that we shall work together to achieve maximum security for our people.

Your counterpart from Rivers State fired another salvo today, that you should be probed…

Well, anybody could come and probe, I’m ready for any probe. I declared the Paris fund refund, I declared it; the bailout, I declared it and the account is there and anybody who wants it should come. I don’t want mixing issues with somebody who does not respect the rule of law. Like I said, he is not someone that I respect and I don’t want to join issues with him. Let him live in his own world. He is in Rivers State and I’m in Benue State and I’m presiding over the affairs of Benue State and the people are happy with me. As you can see in the various stakeholders’ meetings I call; each time I’m given a pass mark and they commend my efforts and I’m satisfied serving them. I’m not serving Governor Wike. I don’t want to join issues with him. Please I don’t want to entertain questions relating to him. I don’t want distraction.

Are you under pressure bringing the security situation under control?

Do you see me as someone under pressure? Look at me, I’m looking very okay and I’m not under pressure.

How is your governing party, according to Mr. President, getting prepared to conduct local government elections?

On local government elections – of course we are ready. We won election and this time around too the party is trying very hard. We are in touch with the people and I can assure you that we’re going to win in all the 23 local governments and in all the 276 council wards. I can assure you that we’re going to do that because we are on ground.

Can you update us on the security situation in Jato-Aka?

In Jato-Aka, the situation is under control, there was youth restiveness but it has been arrested. We are on top of it now and everything is normal, and activities will return back as normal.

There were killing and burning of villages in Jato-Aka. Are we going to stand back and watch this because our people did wrong? What is government going to do to arrest this?

All these killings you people talk about, where are the killings? I’ve just held meetings with the traditional rulers from that area and nobody told me about killings. You are telling me and you know some of these things are not good for the image of the state, especially for those of you who are here. When you hear rumors, please seek to confirm. I can’t just act on rumor that people are being killed. It is not the best. When you see pictures that people were killed in Kaduna and they say it is in Benue State; it is not fair to us. Please, let us try and verify some of these facts. We are on top of the situation. I’ve just concluded a meeting with my Security Council and the entire traditional council from that area and nobody is talking about killings in that area. We recovered a gun which was missing from 93 battalion from that axis and handed it over to the Commander at 72 battalion here in Makurdi and we have not heard about reports of killings.

WIKE DIVERTING ATTENTION FROM HIS CHAIN OF PROBLEMS

In what has become a disgusting obsession with Benue and the current Governor of the State, Samuel Ortom, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the March 27, 2017 edition of Daily Sun, called for probe of his Benue State counterpart over Paris Club refund. He also lied that he is constructing two roads in Benue State.
We find the two issues not only laughable but also diversionary. Governor Wike is apparently trying to use Benue to divert attention from the gross failure of governance and stinking corruption being witnessed in Rivers State.
We hasten to state that Governor Wike is not constructing roads in any part of Benue State. We challenge him to publish evidence of the two roads he claims to be constructing in the state.
Benue people are witnesses to the fact that the government run by Rivers Governor's political party, PDP abandoned 11 roads across Benue State. Governor Ortom has since assumption of office deployed funds and mobilized the contractors back to site. Some of the road projects have already been completed and others are at different stages of completion. Governor Ortom has also awarded six new road contracts in different parts of the state and more are being considered by the State Executive Council for approval inspite of lean resources.
It is therefore ridiculous that Governor Nyesom Wike, a man who is clearly not interested in the development of his state; a man who is believed to be sponsoring thugs and cultists to occupy public offices; a man who has never won a free and fair election; a man who publicly swears with a sword in his hand to slaughter opposition members; a man who has no known antecedent of positive thinking; a man notorious for looting of public funds; a man who, since assumption of office has been on a voyage of destruction of education, health and economic structures built by his predecessor has now become an advocate of development and probity in another state.
Governor Wike's call for the probe of last December's Paris Club refund to Benue is a poor diversionary tactic. It is on record that Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to declare the Paris Club refund to Benue and stated specifically how much the state was expecting many weeks before the funds came in. When the N12.7 billion was released to the state, the Governor made it public including the disbursement for workers' salaries. Governor Wike on the other hand has not made known to Rivers people the amount the state received as the first tranche of the refund. That's what he is expected to have done before calling for probe of the refund in Benue.
Governor Wike's recent interest in affairs of other states including Benue, is a clear manifestation of an idle governor. It is an indication that unlike his counterpart in Benue, Governor Wike has so much time not only to spend planning how to rig the next election, divert public funds but also how to distract busy governors of other states.
But what else does one expect from a governor who has abandoned governance? A quick look at Governor Wike's performance shows the demolition of a market at Mile One Flyover, Port Harcourt without making alternative arrangements for the relocation of the affected traders. Two of the traders died as a result of shock because they were not allowed to move their wares before the demolition.
Examples of abandoned projects under Wike are the Kpobie-Bodo road, Sakpenwa-Bori road dualization, Bonny Jetty modernization, Phase Two of Mile One Market and renovation of 13 General Hospitals in the state. Work has stopped on all the named projects without explanation from a government that receives some of the highest allocations from the federation account.
On corruption, only recently, a joint police panel that investigated violence during the re-run elections in Rivers State, indicted 23 electoral officers of INEC of receiving bribes from Governor Wike to enable the PDP win the polls.
Also, several Supreme Court justices and judicial officers are either facing trial or being investigated for receiving bribes from Governor Wike to influence the judgement of the Apex Court which upheld his election as governor.
Once more, we challenge Governor Wike to publish the evidence that he is constructing two roads in Benue State as he claimed.
That a governor would abandon the provision of critical infrastructure in his state and make sweeping claims of constructing roads in another state without the knowledge of the beneficiaries and regard to the federal structures indeed indicates that Governor Wike needs deliverance from demonic influence that seem to be taking over his senses.

Signed:
Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary
March 27, 2017.

Some of Governor Ortom's projects