Benue Your Home – Ortom Assures Buhari
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday shunned partisan politics to declare that as Nigeria’s leader, there is no controversy about President Muhammadu Buhari being the father of Benue State.
The governor made the statesmanly comments even as the President said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will soon commence drilling for a deeper search for oil and gas in the Benue trough.
Speaking when he received the president at Nigerian Airforce Base, Makurdi, Governor Ortom also said being the President of Nigeria, President Buhari is at liberty to visit and be received in Benue State at anytime he so wishes.
According to Governor Ortom, “He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and whatever he is doing, it is our responsibility to give him adequate protocol.
“He is our President, and this is beyond party…, so I am doing all the needful. There is no special thing in what I am doing, it is what I am supposed to do as governor of Benue State, irrespective of party because he remains my President and I respect him.
“I have no personal issues with him; we talk about policies and issues, there is no personal grudge. So, I am here to receive him, and I have made adequate arrangement. This state belongs to Mr President. So, he has access, he can be here and do whatever he wants.”
Ortom dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July, having fell out of favour with the Senator George Akume-led APC in Benue State
However, speaking while addressing traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, President Buhari, who was in Benue in continuation of the nationwide APC presidential campaign rallies, said plans were on for NNPC to commence drilling for a deeper search for oil and gas in the Benue Troughs.
He said the oil and gas drilling search in the Benue Tough would be the next after drilling has commenced in Kolmani River area, located within Bauchi and Gombe states.
The President recalled that as Minister of Petroleum in the 70s, he had seen ‘very interesting seismic surveys’ that revealed discovery of oil and gas from the Chad Basin through the Benue Troughs down to the Delta region.
He said for mostly commercial reasons, investment was directed to Niger Delta, given the promise of quicker results.
President Buhari narrated past efforts by him as Military Head of State to diversify the country’s sources of oil to strengthen its unity, promising that his administration will intensify efforts in this direction.
He welcomed the observation by His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, that peace has returned to Benue State, just as he pledged to consider requests for more roads, bridges and tertiary institutions made by the royal father.
Earlier in his remarks, the Tor Tiv appreciated the President for conducting decent and peaceful campaign rallies, devoid of riots, hate and violence, noting that the president has continue to set good examples for other politicians.
“We had a challenging time in 2016. Thanks for your intervention, for accepting our appeal to step up security. Operation Whirl Strike has succeeded in chasing away violent herders.”
He however pleaded with the President to give special attention to the nation’s borders in order to check and stop “criminals and bandits” from crossing into the country to cause havoc – NAN
