Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has replied Minister of Special Duties and Inter-government Affairs, Senator George Akume, who asked anti-graft agencies to probe the finances of Benue under him.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Akume, a former governor of Benue, tackled Ortom over his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akume asked Ortom to apologise to Buhari and also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Benue expenses under him.
The Minister also asked the Federal Government to disband the Livestock Guards in Benue.
But reacting in a statement, Terver Akase, his Chief Press Secretary, issued on his behalf, Ortom alleged that Akume was working to please his paymaster.
He said the conference was organised to massage the ego of the presidency, wondering why Akume did not address the issue of insecurity that he raised earlier.
“We had earlier alerted Benue people and other Nigerians to expect the said press conference. It is one in a series of an organized smear campaign against Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.”
“As expected, Senator Akume and his group avoided responding to the issues of insecurity in the country which the Governor has repeatedly and rightly accused the Presidency of complicity.
“The outing of George Akume and others in Abuja was nothing more than a massage on the ego of the Presidency to curry personal favors. As long as he and his group secure their meal tickets, Benue can go to hell.
“A media attack on Governor Ortom instantly attracts a package from the Villa”, Akume and his group must have been under intense pressure to hold the press conference and hurl vituperation against the Governor. This, they had to do to keep their jobs.”
On the issue of the governor sponsoring the militia, he challenged the minister to provide proves to back his claims and also called on the EFCC to begin their probe.
“Is it not contradictory that Akume faults Governor Ortom over his statements on the President’s handling of the security situation in the country but goes ahead to brand the Governor as a criminal and sponsor of militia? We challenge the Minister to provide evidence to back his claim that the Governor is involved in corruption and sponsors militia.”
“On his call for a probe, we have no objection to that, Governor Ortom is running a transparent administration and has nothing to hide.
“We however invite Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to begin their probe from 1999 when Akume became Governor. The N2 billion that went missing at the twilight of his administration is yet to be accounted for”.
“Lastly, we expected APC to hold the press conference in Benue to test their popularity among the people of the state.”
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