Samuel Ortom, the Benue State Governor, has lamented the inpouring of killer herdsmen into the state after Reverend Fr Hyacinth Alia was declared winner of the March 18 gubernatorial poll.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary Nathaniel Ikyur, worrying that this might affect the security situation of the state if it was not addressed by the Governor-elect.
In an article titled "Ortom did not shut out the Fulani from Benueâ€, Ikyur expressed worries that Alia's relationship with the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, might threaten state security.
Recall that Ortom has continually accused George Akume of siding with the Fulani herders, claiming that the former governor has never condemned the state's ongoing killings.
Although, Akume refuted the allegations, blaming the herders' actions on Ortom's ineptitude to properly govern the state.
In his article, Ikyur admonished Alia, the governor-elect not to be in a rush with governance but to calm down and understand the state's security issues, arguing that the next administration's bursen would be heavier.
Part of it reads, “As Governor-elect Father Alia settles in to comprehend the real issues beyond the sound bites of political bombast, he must recognize the magnitude of the security challenges and threats to the various communities of Benue. For sure, Alia’s burden is weightier.
“My I suspect our oppressors want to use the face of the church to wreak more havoc on the fertile Benue lands. Therefore, his success or not will have a dent, positive or negative on the Church depending on how he navigates between satisfying his sponsors and keeping the Benue lands safe, and away from the bloodthirsty herdsmen. Already, the herders are excited and moving into Benue with speed.â€