He alleged that Buhari has been tormenting separatist agitators, while pampering killer bandits in the country.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has not governed with justice, fairness and equity.
He alleged that Buhari has been tormenting separatist agitators, while pampering killer bandits in the country.
He criticised the Nigerian government for arresting and detaining the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.
It also decried its involvement in the arrest and incarceration of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic, while failing to arrest bandits and herdsmen whom he said no longer wear masks when they kidnap and kill innocent Nigerians.
The governor also lamented that about 137,000 residents and over 100 security personnel have been killed by ravaging bandits in Benue State.
Ortom revealed this while briefing journalists in a video clip obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.
“Today, there is no justice, no fairness, no equity. About agitation in the South East, we talk about Nnamdi Kanu, he has been detained, because according to those prosecutors, we were told that he breached the laws of this country. In the South-West, Sunday Igboho, he was apprehended, he ran away but he was caught in the Benin Republic and the federal government was interested. Why? We’re also told that he breached the laws of this country," he said.
He continued, “Then, how are the Fulani herdsmen and militia who have been given the new name of bandits? Two weeks ago, some of our subjects in Benue State were kidnapped. Our children, three girls and one boy. And then, two who boarded Benue State vehicles to Zamfara were kidnapped, and their parents were asked to bring N30 million and in the course of negotiations, these bandits took pictures, photo clips, the bandits and these our children and posted on social media. And they said that if you don’t give us this money, we are going to kill them. And they were not even masked. They displayed themselves. And up till today, no security (agency) has gone after them."
“And you are there arresting IPOB leader, you are arresting Igboho. So where is justice, fairness and equity? How many people? Over 137,000 people have been killed in Benue and still continue to be killed. That’s why I decided that we will form cooperative community guards. Security agents in Benue state, more than 100 of them, DSS (Department of State Services), Police, Army and Civil Defence more than 100 of them have been killed in Benue state.
“In the course of them (sic) trying to keep peace and solve the problem in this country. So, this is the challenge, you can see that the federal government is helpless. We all need to join hands together to help because this federal government has failed, they have not performed. And unless we all rise up, whether you are journalists, whether you are politicians, whether you are civil servants, whether you are a security man, whether you are a farmer, whoever you are.
“This government has demonstrated that they have no capacity at all. The primary responsibility of any responsible government is to provide security for lives and property. And when government fails in this primary responsibility, it means there is a problem. That this country does not belong to me as governor or to the president or to the National Assembly or to the state houses of assembly.
“It belongs to all of us. Those of us who are here as leaders are here on a temporary basis. We will not be there tomorrow. But we have the responsibility to preserve our country - Nigeria. And so I want to implore all of us to rise up to our responsibilities. And not to be blaming leaders, president, governors and the National Assembly. You in your own little way, what have you done to contribute to add value?” Governor Ortom said.