Ortom: The man Nigeria needs to listen to

By Fredrick Adebayo

Nothing approximates the test of true leadership than challenges of crisis which demand the best from those saddled with the responsibility to lead. Unfortunately, only few leaders measure up to the task of providing leadership, in the true sense of it.

As we are seeing it play out so glaringly in Nigeria today, leadership deficit either reflects in preference for prevarication when objective realities demand unflinching display of responsibility or barefaced acquiescence in the face of daunting challenges. Many have dubbed Nigeria as a sinking ship. Others have tagged it a nation on the brink, while some say the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

The above negative monikers are difficult to dispute considering the spate of insecurity in the country and the crass failure of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to rise to the occasion.

In the face of the dark clouds hovering over Nigeria with terrorists attacking parts of the country and killing hundreds of innocent people, there comes one man who has refused to be politically correct by keeping mute. His name is Samuel Ortom, the present Governor of Benue State. Ortom is a man who does not mince words or pretend about what he believes to be the right thing. He fears God but not man. He only respects those who earn his respect. Where other men of his ilk would have quaked and crumbled to the ground in piteous lamentation, he stands firmly and resolute and shows the inner strength of a man of purpose and conviction who would do everything in his power to give his people direction.

It is gratifying to see Governor Ortom rekindling the hope that those in positions of authority at different spheres of public space can indeed put the interest of the people above self-serving political niceties that appease the status quo by lending credible voices in demanding a new Nigeria founded on the basis of fairness, equity and justice.

Governor Ortom has etched his name in history as a leader worthy of emulation. Here is one leader who accepted the historical responsibility of being the voice of the people who are the custodians of the mandate of office. He has constantly spoken truth to power and tasked the federal government to act decisively to tackle insecurity.

One unique quality of Governor Ortom is his ability and foresight in predicting events. His predictions often do not go down well with President Buhari and his team but they always come to pass.
Only two weeks ago, Governor Ortom spoke on two television programmes – Arise News and Channels TV. He stated unequivocally that if nothing is done to arrest the worsening insecurity in the country, one day soon, terrorists will take over the Presidential Villa. Some Nigerians found his statement as a prophecy of doom. In fact, Channels TV host Seun Akimbaloye openly disagreed with Governor Ortom in strong terms. The Governor was not deterred as he went on to state his case courageously and proffered the way forward. A few days later, terrorists attacked the Kuje Prison and freed hundreds of inmantes among who were their members. That was Ortom’s prediction coming to pass faster than anyone would have imagined. Even those who doubted his warning about the possible attack on the Villa are now speechless.

To bring Governor Ortom’s warning closer home, President Buhari’s advance team was attacked right in the President’s home state Katsina by terrorists. What affront can be more worrisome than that? Those who had thrown darts at the Benue State Governor have now put their tails between their legs.

In 2015, Governor Ortom after carefully studying the Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers in Benue State, came up with the novel solution of ranching and the banning of open grazing in the state. Through the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017, Benue bade farewell to open grazing to welcome ranching. However, the backlash the Governor received was from just one ethnic group, the Fulani tribe who have taken open grazing as a way of life and would not like it changed. Through their social-cultural groups: Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders, Fulani Nationality Movement, and other Northern elites and governors, they opposed the ban on open grazing with threats of attacks on the state, which were carried out unhindered even as the President and security agencies were timely alerted by Governor Ortom.
He predicted that one day, ranching will be accepted the same way that June 12 has today been accepted as democracy day! It has come to pass.

Ortom is indeed the last man standing for Benue people and other Nigerians! He has on several occasions spoken out against injustice and oppression. He has been vilified, blackmailed and even marked for elimination. But the Guma-born astute politician and philanthropist has refused to buckle under the heavy weight of Presidential threats and attacks. Some of his own people who are apologists of the Presidency use his name to curry favours at the Villa. They tag him as the only enemy of Fulani.

He has repeatedly put the blame of the carnage ongoing in parts of the country as perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen squarely on the feet of the Presidency. He faults the Buhari government’s handling of the crisis, particularly its kid gloves treatment of Fulani terrorists. Governor Ortom has fearlessly challenged the Presidency to declare armed Fulani herdsmen as terrorists and have them arrested, the same way agitators such as Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho have been treated.

Curiously, the federal government has never taken Ortom on any of the issues he has been raising. Instead, they sponsor mercenaries to write hurtful things against the Governor.

Samuel Ortom has been a blend and brand of courage, steadfastness, justice, truth and forthrightness. Even when he couldn’t pay salaries as a result of the recession Nigeria plunged into, he explained to his people that the circumstances were beyond his administration. Today, almost all the 36 states are struggling to pay salaries since April this year.

Governor Ortom has stood his ground on the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue State and dares anyone to flaunt it. He has stood doggedly with his people and defied the Presidency that appears to give tacit approval to the mass killings with its complicit silence and lack of action. Till date, no single herdsman has been paraded or is in court facing murder and arson charges by federal authorities. Only Benue has demonstrated the will to enforce its law with over 600 offenders so far arrested.
Owing to Ortom’s firm stand against open grazing of cattle and his insistence on ranching, the rest of the country has now embraced ranching!

Governor Samuel Ortom is indeed the man Nigeria should listen to whenever he speaks. He is a true patriot and national hero!

* Adebayo writes from Lagos.