Why are you running, come out – Ortom advises Yahaya Bello

Former govenor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has called on his counterpart from Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to step out of hiding and address the accusations against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ortom made these remarks on Sunday during a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Church in Makurdi, organized by his aides to commemorate his 63rd birthday.

He urged Bello to face the allegations against his administration directly, stating that his continued evasion would reflect poorly on former governors nationwide.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors. You don’t need to hide; you don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond.

“EFCC are human beings. If they are making enquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on the phone, but I could not; I have tried those around him, but I could not, so I want this to be noted.

“So wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press are here, he should come out,” Mr Ortom said.

The former governor thanked the Benue people for their support throughout height-years tenure and for celebrating him on his birthday.

He said that being at the top for eight years was not an easy task and called on the people to always pray for their leaders.

Ortom urged Benue youths to stop insulting the elders on social media and take advantage of the internet to add value to their lives and bring development to the state.

“Do not insult the leaders or elders on social media. We all must be part of the process to bring peace so that progress, prosperity and development will come.

“The youth must take advantage of social media to bring development to themselves and the state.

“The whole world is in your palm, tablets and phone. Look at the essence of the internet.

“Now that you cannot go to the farms, go to the website and see what people are doing in order to be part of the world and to add value and bring wealth to yourselves,” he said.