Alleged attempt on Ortom’s life: PDP Govs. demand immediate probe; Journalists condemn attack
By Emmanuel Oloniruha/Joseph Edeh
Abuja, March 21, 2021
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has called on security agencies to investigate Saturday’s alleged attempt on the life of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.
The governors elected under the platform of the PDP made the call in a statement by its Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal on Sunday in Abuja.
Tambuwal urged the security agencies and other authorities of the state to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the matter of urgency as well as bring the perpetrators to justice.
He said that the PDP Governors forum received with shock the alleged assassination attempt on Ortom.
”We wish, therefore, to warn that any attempt to harm any Nigerian will be viewed by the forum as an attempt on all.
”We believe strongly that any dispute or perceived dispute, should be and must be resolved amicably without resort to violence,” he said.
Tambuwal condemned the attempt by certain retrogressive elements and centrifugal forces, trying to consign Nigeria into a failed state, saying Nigeria is not a Banana Republic.
The chairman of the forum, who said that security remained the primary responsibility of government, especially the Federal Government, added that every Nigerian deserved equal protection of the laws.
He said every citizen was entitled to freedom of speech and free exercise of all rights guaranteed in the constitution, subject only to law.
According to him, Nigeria is still a democracy and a nation of laws and not men.
He said that nobody, or group, however highly placed, should take the laws into their hands.
The Sokoto governor then stated that self help was an invitation to anarchy and must be nipped into the bud.
”The PDP governors are solidly united and are behind Ortom and will do the utmost to defend the rights and prerogatives of the Benue people who elected him.
”We expect the security agencies and other authorities of state, to investigate this matter swiftly and thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Tambuwal said.
Also, the Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has condemned in strong terms, Saturday’s attack and alleged assassination attempt on Gov. Ortom.
A statement by Vice President of CBJ, Mr Ewache Ajefu, said the incident and the recent killing of the brother of a former governor of the state were aimed at making the state ungovernable.
“We categorically warn that nothing must happen to Ortom and urge the Federal Government to step up security machinery to end all forms of criminality in the country,” he said.
Ajefu commended the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mohammed Adamu for swiftly deploying a team of specialized investigators to fish out the perpetrators.
He also called on Ortom never to be deterred by the attack but remain focused and courageous in providing good leadership to the people of the state.
CBJ is an association of professional media practitioners of Benue origin with members spread across the country with the sole objective of promoting, projecting and defending the interests of the people.
