We are sitting on a keg of gun powder – Gov Ortom

Fresh from a recent terrorist attempt on his life, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the political class in the country to concern itself with plans to mitigate the deteriorating security situation in the Country and forget about the 2023 elections for now.

Governor Ortom who spoke to State House Correspondents after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, warned that Nigeria is siting on a keg of gun powder.

While briefing the journalists on the outcome of his meeting with President Buhari after the unsuccessful attempt on his life, Ortom said he told Mr. President that there should be no consideration for any sacred Cow in the fight against terror and insecurity the country.

He said that the security situation in the country today calls for concerted efforts by all concerned persons in order to secure the country and protect the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He further said that the mantras of equity, fairness and justice must be respected in the fight against insecurity such that those who are found culpable should be made to face the wrath of the law.

While addressing the political class, the Benue State Governor said that the frenzy over the 2023 Elections should be pushed to the back burner to enable those in elective office work together to salvage the country from rising insecurity that is threatening the foundation of the country.

“I want to also appeal to Nigerians that if we secure our country and everything is working fine, then we can talk about 2023. But the way things are going, if we don’t secure the country, there is no way we can talk about 2023,” he said.

Governor Ortom also urged citizens and elected representatives to support the President rather than just criticizing his policies. “So, my appeal to everyone is to ensure that we work together, security matters are not just for the security agencies alone,” he admonished.

He dismissed the insinuation that the attack on his person was stage-managed, wondering the rationale behind such as act by a Governor. “If a Governor is attacked, then it is an attack on all. And I appreciate my colleagues irrespective of party affiliation: Chairman of our Governance Forum, the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, the Chairman of Southern Governors Forum, the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and the Chairman of APC Governors Forum for their solidarity,” he stated.

On the controversial anti-grazing law of the state which many suspects may have triggered the attempt on his life, the governor said that the policy was not targeted at any ethnic group in the country as the law was put in place only after due consultation with Benue citizens who asked him to present the bill to the House of Assembly before it was signed into law.  “The bill is non-discriminatory,” he concluded.