Benue State Government Responds to Accusations of Persecution by Former Governor, News About Nigeria reports.
In a recent development, the Benue State Government, under the leadership of Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has responded to accusations made by his immediate predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, regarding alleged persecution by the current administration.
According to a report by NEWS ABOUT NIGERIA, Ortom had claimed that the government was harassing him.
The argument began after the Assets Recovery Committee, headed by Barrister Tom Uja, conducted an operation to reclaim vehicles allegedly stolen during the previous administration.
Ortom’s statement conveyed through his media aide Terver Akase, accused the governor of subjecting him to persecution. In response, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, issued a statement titled “THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITCHES SHOULD NOT BE SCARED OF A ‘WITCH-HUNT'” to address Ortom’s comments.
Expressing surprise at the former governor’s misinterpretation of the operation, Governor Alia emphasized that the Recovery Committee was not targeting Ortom.
Kula stated that before the raid, the current governor had explicitly instructed the committee not to engage in any form of witch-hunt.
The statement read, “Ortom was not and has never been the target, as his aide and the Publicity Secretary of his party would want the unsuspecting mass of Benue people to falsely believe in a bid to curry undue public sympathy.”
Furthermore, the governor’s spokesperson added, “The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee is an indication that they have truly swung into action.
We do not believe Ortom is the proverbial witch, and as such, he is being ‘hunted’ as his spokespersons would want the public to believe.”
In conclusion, Governor Alia’s administration has refuted the accusations of persecution made by former Governor Ortom.
The statement clarified that the operation carried out by the Assets Recovery Committee was not aimed at targeting Ortom personally.
