From AustineTule, Makurdi
A group known as Jemgbah United Front(JUF) has acussed governor Samuel Ortom of a deliberate plot to pull down political leaders from Senator George Akume’s geo- political bloc (Jemgbah), in Benue state
The body made its position known while addressing a world press conferencene at City Bay resort in Makurdi.
According to Dan-Morgan Ihumun, President of the group, “one is oblivious of the power of speech particularly in political outings . It is more powerful when the objective is deliberate and intended to be provocative and designed to cause maximum damage .”
Speaking further he said” It is no longer mere speculation that Governor Samuel Ortom made some unpleasant remarks on 7th August, 2021 at Adikpo in Kwande LGA of the state during the decamping ceremony of Chief Mrs Mimi Orubibi. Without mincing words , the governor admitted that his leadership in the state has failed and went ahead to charge the people of Kwande LGA to reject the APC for denying them the citing of a federal polytechnic which was originally billed to be built at Adikpo, only for it to be diverted to Wannune in Tarka LGA.
” Ortom’s speech was deliberately designed and deployed to stroke the ember’s of hate and bring about bad blood between the good people of Kwande against their brothers in Jemgbagh who are the direct beneficiaries of a federal institution created by the president Buhari administration and located in Wannune .
He informed further that the group was aware of the Governor’s intention of trying to sow a seed of discord between powerful political blocs in the state .
“He definitely knows the capacity of the groups in the political system of the Tiv nation and therefore wants to use divid and rule tactics to conquer two powerful groups by putting them against each other.
“The fight against the people of Jemgbagh started when the Governor mobilised all arsenals and state resources to retire our own Son and Leader Sen. Dr. George Akume from active politics. Akume’s name was always on his lips at campaign rallies as though he was the one contesting against him. The hatred against Jemgbagh became glaring when the Governor started demonstrating open disregard for the office and person of another great son of Jemgbagh Sen. Oker Jev, the man he claimed was the best in 2019. It is now an open secret that only people who undermine the unity and cohesion of Jemgbagh have gained favour of the Ortom administration within the Jemgbagh intermediate group “
Ihomun said it was shocking that Governor Ortom who is eying the Senate seat in 2023 could make such a public declaration and show of hatred for Jemgbagh people . “We are sure of the grand plan to completely exclude Jemgbagh politically if Ortom becomes the senator of our zone.
“There is no gainsaying that Governor’s in other states have established similar institutions in their states . Governor Ortom should have rather told our brothers in Kwande what he has done for them in the last 6 years of his administration or should have relocated the newly upgraded Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, from makurdi that has two Universities to Adikpo to demonstrate his love for the people of Kwande.
“Why is Governor Ortom very comfortable with similar of these Institutions sited in other places in Benue state yet the one sited in Jemgbagh has become a problem to him ? why is Governor Ortom bent on destroying Jemgbagh sons and its people?
“The governor’s speech at Adikpo only exposed his hidden agenda which was to paint black the minds of Kwande people and set them against our illustrious son of Jemgbagh, Senator George Akume, whom they pride for being instrumental for the giant development the zone has recorded in his time as Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“Be that as it may, how governor Ortom thought he could stage a mental tussle between the good people of Kwande and the people of Jemgbagh and succeed will remain a question for generations unborn, because a man who seeks the support of the people of Jemgbagh for his direct ambition will not attempt this suicidal trick .
It should worry anyone thats, a Governor who prides himself as a Christian of Pentecostal faith yet on the other hand is sending a deadly venom into the minds of the people of Kwande against their Jemgbagh brothers! “
The group added it was shocking that, at a time when ethnic nationalities are uniting for their fair share in the 2023 National arrangements , governor Ortom was busy fueling division among political and traditional intermediate groups in the state.
It added it was not out of place to suggest that, the Governor’s continuous attack on the person and office of President Buhari is aimed at putting the Tiv in a bad light, to affect the suitability of Sen. Akume in the federal configuration.
“We therefore challenge the Governor to point at just one project he has executed in Kwande since assumption of office, six years ago.
“For us in Jemgbagh, we have reviewed his activities and actions on our children and leaders, we have resolved to be united against enemies of Jemgbagh no matter who they are . We will never empower those who seek to destroy us. We will protect our interests and that of the Tiv nation over and above divisive elements whose stock in trade is blackmail and propaganda.” The group concluded.
Efforts to get reaction from officials of the Benue state government on the issue were futile at the time of filling this report.
