Benue Youths warn over impeachment move against Ortom

Benue Youth Alliance For Ortom (BYAFO) 2019 have condemned what they described as rascality exhibited by security agencies that backed eight lawmakers in an attempted impeachment move against Governor Samuel Ortom.

A press statement signed by National Coordinator of the group, Iorliam Shija on Tuesday in Makurdi, said the youth group was pained by the inglorious role played by Distinguished Senator George AKume, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and the suspended Speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange on the failed attempt to oust Ortom.

Part of the statement reads: “We recall with sadness the Tiv political crisis of the 1960s- Nande Nande and Atemtyo and warn the political class not to take us back to those old days that our people were killed due to political uprising. We particularly, call on Senator Akume, a political leader and one of the ringleaders in the political imbroglio in the state not to take us back to those days.

“More than usual bloodshed has flown in the state due to killings by Fulani herdsmen and we cannot afford any more due to political violence. All we expect from the people of good will; the political class alike is to stand with Ortom in the implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law, a necessary implement to ending killings by armed herdsmen in the state and Nigeria at large than stoking embers of political violence.”

The statement added that “As young people, we are disappointed in Ikyange for allowing himself to be used by self-seeking politicians to destroy his political career that presumably has not even started.”

Shija, who described Benue youth as pacesetters, resilient, focused and truthful” noted that “as young people, that has always been our expectation from Ikyange, to exemplify the true spirit of the Benue youth. Instead, he has brought shame on the youth.”

The youth group also called on the Commissioner of Police in the state, Besan Gwana, to carry out his duties in the state as a good cop, saying “We are keenly watching him.”

The group further reiterated their stand with Governor Samuel Ortom, and assured him of their continuous support.

Earlier, Governor Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary, Akase Terver, Ortom said he was still the governor of the state, adding that the lawmakers lack the constitutional powers to remove him from office.