APC queries Ortom’s N22b security vote

Governor Samuel Ortom

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has questioned Benue Governor Sammuel Ortoms’ claim of spending N22 billion received from federal government on provision of security.

The governor’s claim of spending so much on security in the state raises more questions, Mr. Adams Osjiomhole, Chairman of APC, said on Friday.

The party expressed concern that though the governor claimed to have spent such huge money on security but the people were more insecure.

He said Ortom was making political gain on the security situation in his state, after allegedly spending heavily on security.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of APC, said on Friday that it was unfortunate that while President Muhammadu Buhari had been to other states to commission projects, there has been none to commission in Benue.

“Ortom’s argument is that he had diverted a lot of funds to security issues ,” Oshiomhole said.

“It is okay to lament that there is no federal presence. Where is the explanation for the absence of projects in Benue state?

This, Oshiomhole said, was so because Ortom had not developed any project since he assumed office, adding that this was one of the complaints the Benue APC leaders brought against him.

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He said that the Benue governor when asked to defend himself following the accusations against him, could not give reasonable explanation.

“Whereas the President and Vice President had visited other states to commission projects, they had only visited Benue on condolence visits.

APC, he said, condemned in strong terms anyone in government that to get political capital from the shedding of blood.

He stressed that government at all levels have shared responsibility of protecting Nigerians irrespective of religious, social and political status.

Oshiomhole accused the Benue governor of ineptitude in the discharge of his duties as chief security officer of his state and insisted that Ortom got the party’s ticket,” on a platter of gold”.

He explained APC was happier that Ortom had defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said APC was now more comfortable that the Benue governor has joined a “club whose philosophy is to share the money and not develop communities”.

“I am relieved as national chairman, and I believe that the leadership of the party in Benue is also relieved that Ortom has left the party and returned to the club he belongs”, Oshiomhole said in an interview with newsmen on Friday..

“We now have a clean platform to search for a clean and credible candidate from Benue, a candidate that can provide leadership that the great people of Benue state deserves. And not someone who seeks to make political capital out of human graves and celebrating the death of his own people,” he said.

Oshiomhole added that as a party, the APC condemns killings by any criminal whether in Benue state or any other part of the country.

He said that the APC accepts that government’s responsibility must be to protect lives and properties.

(NAN)