Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have warned that any harm to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, will spell doom for the country.
They spoke in reaction to the attack on Ortom’s convoy by suspected herdsmen on Saturday.
The New Diplomat had reported that Ortom was attacked on his way to his farm on Makurdi-Gboko highway, Makurdi Local Government area of Benue on the fateful day.
Reacting, the PDP condemned the attack, demanding that the Federal Government take seriously its responsibilities of securing lives and properties of the citizens of the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja.
The party also called on the people of Benue State to be calm and vigilant while providing useful information to security agencies to flush criminal elements out of the state and other parts of the country.
The statement reads, “Our party is worried that this brazen attempt at Governor Ortom’s life is coming on the heels of his outspokenness in exposing those allegedly behind the incessant attacks of communities in the state and demanding that the Federal Government should live up to its responsibility on the protection of life and property in the state. The PDP fears for the life of Governor Ortom and we urge Nigerians to hold the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration responsible over its failure to take a decisive step to check the escalated insecurity and brazen attacks on innocent Nigerians. The PDP however calls on Governor Ortom not to be deterred by the attack but to remain courageous and at alert at all times while providing leadership to the people of his state.”
Similarly, Wike described the attempted assassination as irresponsible and totally unacceptable.
His reaction was contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri.
The statement reads, “If you kill Ortom, then be prepared to bury Nigeria. If anything happens to Governor Ortom, the Federal Government will be held responsible and they should be prepared that there will be no more Nigeria.”
Following the incident of Saturday, Ortom joined the list of governors who had been attacked by gunmen.
Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, had in the past been attacked a couple of times by gunmen.
On September 27, 2020, Zulum was attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorist on his way back from Baga town to where he had accompanied hundreds of displaced residents returning to their homes.
Again, on November 22, 2020, Zulum’s convoy was attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorist on the Gajiram-Monguno road, Borno State, during which seven soldiers were reported killed.
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, was attacked on February 12, 2019 by suspected Boko Haram terrorist on his way to a political rally at Gamboru-Ngala area of Borno State.
