I can become freelance journalist after leaving office – Ortom

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, said he could become a freelance journalist after leaving office.

Ortom, who is in his second term as Benue State governor, had lost election for the Benue North-West Senatorial seat to his former aide, Titus Zam, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking about his plans after office with ARISE TV, the governor accused the presidency of spending money to ensure his defeat in the election, adding that there are a number of things he could embark on after leaving office on May 29.

He said, “I know how much given to Benue State from the Villa to ensure I lost the election. And I’ve accepted it. And I’ve accepted that if another person comes, I should support that person if they need my support. And if they don’t need my support, I will go back to my farm. I will go back to my business, and I can even be a freelance journalist.”

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The governor said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari had taken Nigeria from the top to the bottom, but he had forgiven the President, making  a reference to the Bible.

He said, “When you don’t forgive, it means God too will not forgive (you). As a student of the Bible and as a born-again Christian, I have forgiven President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Ortom also expressed optimism for better performance from the administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

“We hope that the incoming administration will provide support, help, security, economic development, and peace for our people,” he added.

He, however, advised Buhari not to exit Nigeria but stay back to work with the administration of Tinubu to elevate the state and nation from “bottom to top”.

“He doesn’t need to go to the Niger Republic. He should stay here (in Nigeria) with us. All of us should work with the incoming administration and by the grace of God, we shall go from bottom to top,” the governor said.

Ortom had criticised the presidency for blaming his administration for the killings in the state.