The presidency has condemned the recent statements of Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Governor Ortom had publicly alleged in the past few weeks that the Buhari-administration has a Fulanization agenda, adding that they (Federal Government) were behind the wanton killings and kidnappings that have plagued Nigeria in the past few months.
The presidency debunked the governors allegations, stating that they are unfounded and mere words of a political failure.
The special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, Governor Ortom, who has changed parties five times, is only inciting ethnic hatred among residents of Benue state.
He also added that the governor is adopting a strategy used by the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, which was to fan the flames of hatred among the people.
The presidency noted that Ortom should not be trusted with running public services or holding public office.
Governor Samuel Ortom has been barred from visiting the State House.
The statement read:
“Governor Samuel Ortom has few political principles. We can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career. Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.
“Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.
“In an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.
Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.
“As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a “secret Tutsi agenda” over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a “secret Fulanization agenda” over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria. This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.
This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.
“These are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office. For the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.
“The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness.
