I Have Nothing Personal Against President Buhari, Says Ortom

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said he holds nothing personal against President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that his criticism is based on the president not being able to end the killings in the state and in Nigeria.

Ortom made the disclosure in his speech on Saturday at the Independence Day Interdenominational Church service at Faith Cathedral of All Nations Evangelism Ministry, organised by the State Government in conjunction with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Makurdi, the state capital.

The governor insisted that he has nothing personal against the president but concerned with the incessant killings of his people.

Ortom was reacting to a statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Chairman on Tertiary Education in the House of Representatives, Aminu Suleiman Goro during the commissioning of some projects at the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi.

President Buhari was quoted to have asked Governor Ortom to endeavour to  acknowledge his administration’s capital projects in Benue State rather than cast aspersions on him.

The Governor asked why he should stop criticising the President when Benue people are killed daily without the federal government been able to end it, stressing that, "I will not stop criticising until the killings stop."

Ortom wondered why the Buhari-led Federal Government has not disarmed Fulani herdsmen who bear sophisticated weapons and kill innocent people but have continued to deny lawful state security agencies the right to acquire arms to protect lives and property.

He reiterated that he was not elected to preside over dead people and would therefore continue to strongly criticise the Federal Government as long as it fails in its constitutional role of providing security for citizens.

While lamenting the challenges bedeviling the nation, Governor Ortom expressed confidence in the greatness of the country, stressing that there must be justice, equity and fairness for the country to continue to progress.

The Governor acknowledged the prayers of the Church and encouraged spiritual leaders to be united in providing direction for the people to overcome the challenges militating against the unity of the country.