Ortom bombs Tsav again

Press statement

We read in The Authority Daily of December 28, 2015, comments attributed to one Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, in which he condemned Governor Samuel Ortom for what he described as ‘lavish Christmas celebration’ at his country home while the Tor Tiv had not been buried.

In case Alhaji Tsav is not aware, the same day the sad news of the Tor Tiv, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula was broken to Governor Samuel Ortom who was on official trip away from the state, the Governor rushed back to the state and headed straight to the Tor Tiv palace Gboko where he commiserated with the royal family over the irreperable loss. 

The day the official announcement of the demise of Tor Tiv was made, Governor Ortom declared three days of mourning. Within the period, the Governor did not perform any official function and flags flew at half mast at the Benue Peoples House.

Already, the State Government, in collaboration with the Tiv Traditional Council has set up a high powered committee for the burial of Tor Tiv the 4th, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula.
The committee is headed by no less a person than the former military administrator of Benue State, General Atom Akpera, retired.

The above sequence of events does not show any lack of respect for the fallen Tor Tiv who has family ties with Governor Ortom as acknowledged by the former police commissioner.
It is also public knowledge that when he assumed office, Governor Ortom, as a Christian, visited the paramount ruler and reconciled with him putting the past behind. 

The allegation of vindictiveness is as baseless as it is mischievous as the Governor accorded the late Tor Tiv his due respect and entitlement in all circumstances.
While we respect the right of the people to express their views, we find Tsav’s tirade misplaced, contradictory and lacking statesmanship. 

Christmas is a day most people return to their communities to join their families, friends, and well wishers in thanking God for the gift of the Messiah.
This year’s Christmas was Governor Ortom’s first in that position and expectedly and rightly too, many of his people within the state and beyond came to mark the Yuletide with him.
He should not have turned them away.

Moreover, it is ironical that someone who calls himself a Muslim faithful who ought to be used to burying the dead, no matter how highly placed, within hours and in the most natural state would be concerned with whether a funeral is low key or elaborate. 

This clearly indicates that for some, politics can easily overwhelm religion.
Moreover, we have it on good authority that the former policeman has not bothered to visit and commiserate with the royal father’s family and one is not aware of any contribution he would make towards the funeral or upkeep of any member of the family besides his attempt to sow seeds of discord.

However, the Ortom administration will not be swayed by distractions from people like Alhaji Abubakar Tsav.
This is a man widely known to peddle lies against the Governor and one of his appointees who have both taken him to court for libel. 

Rather than prepare his defence, Tsav has embarked on a campaign to distract attention.
Members of the public should dismiss statements from the former policeman who has left no positive tangible legacy in the state other than concerted attempts to impugn the integrity of respected leaders.

Having kept quiet throughout the last eight years during which he was compromised and the people shortchanged, as reflected in testimonies at the Justice Kpojime Commission, Tsav has suddenly found a voice on account of lack of patronage.
The burial of the late Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Dr Torkula should not be used as a platform for cheap political purposes as Alhaji Tsav appears to be doing. Our dear Paramount Ruler deserves a peaceful rest.
Signed:
Terver Akase
Senior Special Assistant, Media