Benue leaders back Ortom over stance against hersmen

Leaders of pan socio cultural group of Benue state under the aegis of the Mdzough U Tiv, MUT, Idoma National Forum, INF, and Omi Ny’Igede, have passed a vote of confidence in Governor Samuel Ortom over his stance on the enforcement of the state’s anti- open grazing prohibition law.

The leaders; Chief Edward Ujege, Amali Amali and Comrade Ben Okpa respectively in a statement issued on Friday also applauded the Operation Whirl Stroke, troops’ efforts to bring an end to attacks by herdsmen in the state.

Spokesman for the group, Chief Edward Ujege who commended governor Ortom for his efforts in standing by his people also commiserated with families of the personnel who had lost their lives in the operation.

According to Ujege, the amalgam group expressed appreciation for the governor for standing not only staking his life but also remain firm in the face of persecution in order to see to the success of entrenching modern way of animal husbandry through the enactment of the law on ranching.

“The success of the Governor‘s efforts in this regard will encourage and guarantee mass participation in agricultural activities which is the main economic stay of our dear state apart from the civil service.

“In the face of apparent persecution and lackluster response from the centre, which ought to provide us security, our Governor has chosen to stand with his people and we also stand with him.

“It is on this note that we the forum of MUT, INF and ONI wish to state unequivocally our unflinching support to Governor over his stance on the open grazing prohibition law.

“He has chosen to stand with the people at this critical time in the history of our state due to onslaught by the herdsmen, sacrificing his life and political comfort to ensure that the wishes of the people on whose mandate he became the Governor of Benue State prevailed.

“At present, we cannot talk about sustenance of Benue state economy because of the onslaught by the herdsmen. Our rural populations who in their small measure have been contributing to the local economy have deserted their communities.

“We also wish to remind those constituting a clog in the wheel of progress of Benue and Nigeria that they are only building castles in the air and will not succeed in mortgaging the future of our children yet unborn.

“Benue State of Nigeria is ours as we have nowhere else to call home hence we appreciate the excellent work commenced by the military under the operation “Whirl Stroke” for maintaining the peace and commencing the return of some IDPs to their ancestral homes. Your sacrifice will not be in vain,”the group said.