By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the unrelenting
onslaught of the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government
against Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, the latest being the
decision to lock the governor out of the Makurdi Airforce base where he
had gone, upon formal invitation, to receive Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
The Party described the action as another vicious attempt by the APC to
embarrass, harass, unsettle Governor Ortom and sustain the terrorization of the people of Benue State in the desperation to sequester their constitutional and ancestral heritage.
A statement by Hon. Debo Ologunag, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said: “It is instructive to note that Governor Ortom, upon formal invitation cancelled his official engagements to accord the Vice President, who landed at the Makurdi Airforce Base en route Taraba State the necessary respect in line with protocols applicable to the office, only for the governor to be denied access into the Airforce Base to meet the Vice President.
“The Buhari Presidency cannot deny involvement in this pre-meditated and provocative act because all arms of the Armed Forces, including the
Airforce are under the authority and control of the Commander-in-Chief,
who is the head of the Executive arm to which the Vice President also
belongs.
“Such orchestrated action against a democratically elected governor of a State by an organ of the Federal Government which is directly under the control of the Commander-in-Chief is to say the least reprehensible. It is an unpardonable assault on our democracy, national unity and peaceful co-existence in our country.
“The PDP dismisses the belated apologies by Vice President Osinbajo and
the excuse of communication gap as an afterthought. Moreover, the
reported suspension of an officer over the despicable act is an attempt
to pull the wool in the face of Nigerians, consistent with the action of the APC in matters requiring transparency and independent public
enquiry.
“It is obvious that this assault on Governor Ortom is because he has
become a thorn in the flesh for the Buhari-led administration given his
principled stand on the inhuman and life-discounting stance of the APC
administration against the people of Benue State, particularly its
failure to protect them from mass killing by marauders, terrorists and
known assailants as well as the ill treatment to internally displaced
persons in Benue State.
“Nigerians can recall how officials of the APC-led Federal government
have been confronting, harassing, insulting and issuing disrespectful
press statements against Governor Ortom for insisting on the rights and
security of the people of Benue State under our Federal Structure and
Constitutional Democracy.
“The public can also recall the several attempts made on Governor Ortom’s life which remain unresolved despite assurances by the Federal
Government to bring the culprits to book.
“Moreover, there are already apprehensions in Benue State that locking
Governor Ortom out of the Airforce Base was ostensibly a plot to
undermine security around the governor, orchestrate restiveness, place
him in harm’s way and blame the outcome on hoodlums.
“Our Party therefore demands for an immediate public investigation to
unravel the real brains behind the action against the governor as well
as ensure that such desecration of public office is not encouraged or
condoned.
“The APC administration must learn to understand and respect our
democratic values and tenets. Instead of always trying to intimidate
Governor Ortom, this administration should assure the people by taking
steps to address their concerns as Governor Ortom and the Benue people
can never be subdued by intimidation and harassment.”