Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has said the aggressive statements of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress Adams Oshiomhole, is a pointer to the oppressive intention of the party.
Governor Ortom cautioned the APC chairman of double-speak, noted that Oshiomhole had earlier described his performance in glowing terms when he was still in APC.
In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Terver Akase, said the APC national chairman’s sudden aggression towards the governor had revealed, among other things, the true oppressive intentions of the ruling party against Nigerians.
He said: “Oshiomhole appears to be flying a kite of an agenda to intimidate and suppress Nigerians who desire freedom from a party which has clearly failed to secure lives and property, thereby ushering in a violence never before witnessed in the history of the country.
“Adams Oshiomhole’s diatribe against Governor Ortom has also revealed the plot hatched by APC leaders within and outside Benue to throw the state into political crisis ahead of the 2019 elections.”
Reacting to Oshiomhole’s allegations that Governor Ortom was complicit in the killing of two Catholic priests in Benue state, Ortom’s spokesman said the conclusion they could draw was that investigations into the matter had been compromised.
On the allegation that the governor’s aides were among those killing people in the state, Akase said it seemed Oshiomhole was privy to the ongoing investigation of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of two Catholic priests and 17 worshipers at Mbalom, Gwer east local government area of Benue state.
He said: “With his jumping into conclusion that the suspects were sponsored by the governor, our suspicion is that either the investigation into the matter has been compromised or the APC national chairman is influencing it.
“Benue people know who their killers are, and the attackers are believed to be sponsored by Miyetti Allah Kautal and other Miyetti Allah groups.
“We advise the APC national chairman to stop his shameful dance on the graves of innocent Benue children, pregnant women and others killed by armed herdsmen.”
