By Aboje Anefu, Makurdi
BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t have the capacity to resolve the lingering crises between farmers and Fulani herdsmen across the country because he is an interested party.
The governor who spoke at the weekend in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area while interacting with traditional rulers at the palace of the second class chief in Gwer West Local Government Area, Chief Daniel Abomtse, said that Nigerians gave President Buhari the opportunity by electing him in 2015 to address the security challenges including the farmers, herders crises in the county but rather than tackling the challenge, he had taken sides with the herdsmen.
According to the governor: “If Buhari wins he’ll continue to prosecute Miyetti Allah agenda which explains why they’ve endorsed him.
“Buhari cannot solve farmers, herders crises, because apart from romancing with Miyetti Allah groups as seen even yesterday, he’s not in charge but rather a cabal.
“It was clearly demonstrated at the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign rally in Delta State recently that our President has lost consciousness.”
Ortom, on the contrary, stated that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had a longstanding relationship with the people of the state having received a chieftaincy title conferred on him years back and was better poised to protect their interest.
He explained that when he assumed office in his first term during the recession that hit the country making the payment of salaries difficult for most states on account of insufficient funds.
Governor Ortom added that as a sensitive leader he listened to advice and made payment of salary a priority particularly in 2018 when he paid up to date.
He listed the completion of major bridges on the Taraku-Naka road and the road itself as well as the award of contract on other roads in the area and pointed out that he was sourcing funds to pay salary arrears with the approval of the state assembly.
The traditional council conferred a title on him an assured him of support.
