By Sunday Iduh
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he chose to pitch his tent with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike because of his stand for equity, fairness and justice.
Governor Ortom stated this Sunday night, at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi during a cocktail party and command performance in honour of Governors Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu and Seyi Makinde of Rivers, Enugu, Abia and Oyo States respectively.
The four PDP governors and Governor Ortom belong to the group known as G-5. They are in Benue State to commission some projects executed by the Ortom-led administration and to participate in the flag-off of the PDP campaigns in the stated today, Monday.
Governor Ortom explained that Governor Wike was the first person to speak out when he was attacked by Fulani. “Wike has always been there for the people of the state. They call it farmers herders crisis. It is a lie from the pit of hell. The Fulani are out to take our land,” he stated.
The governor, who recounted how Governor Wike had given financial support to victims of various disasters in the state said; “many have wondered why I have chosen to stand with Wike. I did that because he is always been there for us.”
He welcomed his colleagues to the state and thanked them for supporting the state. “I want to thank you for standing for justice equity and fairness. We are where we are in Nigeria today because there is no respect for equity, fairness and justice.
Governor Ortom described his colleagues as very committed people, who mean well for the country. He disclosed that he had warned some years ago about the present situation of the country, stating that the Federal Government refused to heed his warning.
The governor maintained that the state will never succumb to the whims and caprices of the enemies of the state, stating that he was ready to lay down his life for the state. “Hardly does a day go by without herdsmen killing people in the state. Let it be recorded that I rejected the Fulani invasion in my time,”he maintained.
He reiterated that the national chairman said he was going to resign if a presidential candidate emerges from the North and wonder why he has not resigned.
“Unless the leadership of the PDP is able to resolve the crisis, we will not work with Atiku. How can a presidential candidate say that we should integrate those who are killing us in the state.
“We believe in PDP and we believe that we can win our elections in Benue State. Benue State is PDP and PDP is Benue State,” he added.
Governor Wike, in a remark, on behalf of the other governors said, the G-5 were out to save the nation. “The G-5 is the integrity group. They have tried to separate us. But will never succeed,” he stated.
He expressed appreciation to the government and people of the state for their love. He noted that Benue was blessed with a lot of talents.
On the aim of their visit, Wike said “we have come to give Ortom support. We want to let the people of the state know that we are with Governor Ortom,” he said.
He maintained that no one can separate them. “We are bonded in the task of rescuing Nigeria. Politics without enmity is what we do. Ortom is a good man,” he stated.