Benue: Gov Ortom breaks silence on diverting N7.5 billion

Each time Benue State has a serious matter on its hands that affects the very soul of the state, members of the opposition devise ways to divert attention from such an issue ostensibly to discredit the State Government.

The latest of such outings by the opposition is the claim that N7.5 billion has been diverted to fund election petitions. This claim is false, baseless, misleading, and it goes to show crass desperation of members of the opposition who lost the 2019 elections and have resorted to sponsoring thugs to go online and tell lies against the Ortom administration.

Contrary to their claim, the sum of N7,075,912,233 being outstanding pay-as-you-earn tax (PAYE) from Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) covering the period of 2002 – 2018 was paid into the Benue State treasury in May this year following the back duty audit which was carried out and series of efforts the Ortom administration made to have the funds released to the state.

The funds were duly appropriated with the payment of contractors handling various roads and several other projects in parts of the state, as well as payment of pensions in the month of June, 2019.

We wonder why the opposition in Benue has not uttered a word in support of majority of Benue people who have rejected the imposition of Ruga settlement patterns on the state.

Just yesterday, many persons were burnt in a petrol tanker fire at Ahumbe, Gwer East local government area of the state. Members of the Benue opposition have not offered a single message of sympathy to the victims but have found the voice to raise unfounded accusations.

We challenge those alleging that the funds have been misappropriated to prove their allegation or face legal action.