I turned down N75bn loan offer tied to repeal of anti-open grazing law – Ortom

Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has revealed that he turned down a N75 billion loan offer during his tenure because it was tied to the repeal of the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law.

Ortom made the disclosure during a media chat in Makurdi, where he reflected on the challenges faced while in office. He explained that the offer included a N40 billion interest-free loan to clear salary arrears and another N35 billion earmarked for infrastructure development.

“I was offered a N40 billion interest-free loan to pay salary arrears, which was a major problem during my tenure, and a N35 billion infrastructure loan for development on one condition: that I should repeal the Anti-Open Grazing Law. But I rejected it,” Ortom stated.

He said the law, which came into effect in 2017, was essential for protecting lives and property from the threat of armed herders, and insisted it was non-negotiable.