I HAVE NO PLAN TO DUMP APC - ORTOM

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has once again
refuted the report of his alleged plan to dump the All
Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2019 general
elections.
The governor said he remained loyal to the ruling party and
had no plan to defect to another party.
Ortom in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press
Secretary, Tever Akase, said the report was apparently
sponsored by members of the opposition aimed at causing
disaffection between him and leadership of the APC.

According to the statement, “We read a report in a national
daily of today which named Benue State Governor, Samuel
Ortom as one of the All Progressives Congress, APC leaders
planning to defect to another political party.
“The report which is obviously sponsored is not only false
but also misleading. Governor Ortom has no intention to
leave APC for another party and has not consulted anyone
on the matter.

“The Governor enjoys a cordial working relationship with
other leaders of the party both at the local, state and
national levels and is focused on delivering greater benefits
of democracy to his people including tackling the security
challenges confronting them and there is no cause to
warrant his defection to another party.
“Governor Ortom’s stand of seeking for justice over the
invasion, killing and wanton destruction of property by
herdsmen militia is what any good leader ought to do. The
Governor has already conveyed the appreciation of the State
Government to President Muhammadu Buhari for deploying
more troops and other security operatives to Benue to end
the killings.
“It must be noted that the killings predate the APC as a
party and the present administration. The Governor’s focus
is on solving the problem in collaboration with other
stakeholders. He wants to see the end of the killings but
this can only be done with the support of the Federal
Government. Fortunately, the administration of President
Buhari has responded positively by sending troops and other
security operatives to chase away the armed militia from
Benue communities.

“We view the speculation as the handiwork of detractors
who want to take undue advantage of the unfortunate
security situation in Benue State and play politics with the
blood of the people.
“The other insinuation in the report that Governor Ortom has
fallen out of favour with other leaders of APC in Benue State
particularly Senator George Akume is also unfounded. The
report is aimed at creating acrimony between the Governor
and the Senator.
“Governor Ortom was popularly elected to lead Benue State
and he has demonstrated uncommon commitment and
selflessness to justifying the confidence reposed in him. He
will therefore not be distracted by baseless reports and
rumours of defection.

“What is of greater concern to the Governor now is how to
stop the killings in the state and also tackle the
humanitarian crisis with nearly 500,000 displaced persons as
a result of the invasion of communities and killing of
defenceless people by armed men. The Benue State
Government is already collaborating with the Federal
Government to see how the displaced persons can be
rehabilitated and to ensure their return home.”