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Presidency attacks Ortom over comments against Buhari on Arise TV

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2022

ABUJA—THE Presidency last night attacked the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over his comment when he appeared on Arise television programme where he said that Nigerians are regretting voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

The Presidency accused Ortom of blaming the President where he has allegedly done nothing to improve the welfare of the Benue state people.

In a statement issued by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the Presidency said Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.

The statement read: “There are two types of politicians in Nigeria today. The first are politicians who are leaders that offer solutions to the challenges facing the voters and the country. They bring forward policies, and implement them, to improve the lives of others.

“The second, politicians who offer excuses for the challenges voters face. They avoid ideas and instead blame others for problems they have either not solved or have themselves created.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader. He inherited a treasury that had been emptied by previous administrations – and he sought and succeeded in repatriating billions of dollars of stolen funds from overseas. His administration discovered more than 500,000 bank accounts operated by Ministries, Agencies and Departments. In these accounts, the money belonging to the government was kept.

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“Same government agencies went to the banks to borrow money kept by sister agencies at exorbitant interest rates. What is more, some of the signatories had left the service or were “unknown” and so no one had access to the funds.

“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.

“Governor Samuel Ortom, office holder, is that other politician. He inherited unpaid salaries and pension arrears – and rather than find a way to raise the funds to pay them, he has blamed the President.

“This is a President who has not failed to pay the salary of those working for the federal government and declared the failure of states to do so “a national disaster.”

“To avert this, he had, at various times lent money to the states in excess of N1.682 trillion, and Benue, Mr Ortom’s state did not miss out on all occasions: Salary Bailout, Excess Crude Loan and Budget Support loan, each repayable in 20 years. Lagos for instance didn’t collect any of the loans.

“A few other states declined to take one or two. Mr Ortom, an office holder who collected on all occasions, currently holds the country’s longest record of unpaid salaries and pensions, has no reason, absolutely no reason, to blame President Buhari for the mess in which he put his state and its workers.

“Having first come claiming that his predecessors created the arrears, it was his business to prove that he was better by paying. Instead of doing that, he joined them! And while he runs up even further salary and pension debts on top of those he was bequeathed, instead of respecting the voters who elected him to office, he publicly attacks them in unprintable words and has raised his own thuggish militia to harass and violate them.

“The Governor now claims the voters wish to be “rescued by the PDP” and “regret voting for Buhari.” The voters, of course, will not be asked to vote for the President again because – as a leader – President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC respect term limits and the constitution, and will stand down next year at the end of his second democratically elected mandate.

“It seems unlikely, however, that any voter would seriously consider it possible to be “rescued” by a party that would today, allow a politician such as Governor Ortom in its ranks.

“What is certain, however, is that Nigeria has had enough of failed politicians who blame others as a diversion for their inability to improve citizens’ lives.”

Vanguard

Related Topics:Arise TV Buhari Featured Ortom Presidency

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Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

A 60-year-old resident of Nza Ozubulu in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, identified only as Mr. Kenneth, was reportedly tortured to death by operatives of local vigilantes hired by his younger brother.

Activist Harrison Gwamnishu shared a video on X, showing the sexagenarian with his hands tied behind him, being repeatedly beaten with cutlasses and sticks by his assailants.

Mr. Kenneth had sold a water tank in his family house to address family issues, which his younger brother disagreed with. Consequently, the brother called for the local vigilante group, who arrested and tortured Mr. Kenneth until he succumbed to his injuries.

In the video of his torture posted by Gwamnishu, Mr. Kenneth could be heard shouting “They have killed me. It is death. I am dying! What did I do?”

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As his torturers took turns to beat him, voices could be heard in the background saying in Igbo language, “You stole. It is a general property,” amongst other unclear words.

Meanwhile, Gwamnishu noted that “Currently his wife and children are subjected to fear and intimidation as they have vowed to deal with them if they continue to seek justice for the death of Mr. Kenneth.”

Demanding justice for the deceased, the activist said, “Ndi Nza Ozubulu, Anambra State, stop shying away from this case and protect the deceased wife and children.”

When SaharaReporters contacted the Anambra State Police Command for confirmation of the incident and reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of the incident.

The police spokesperson who asked the family of the deceased to reach out to him said, “There is no report like that before me, please. Can the victim’s relatives see me please.”

Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

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Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

The Nigerian military has dismantled their tents and withdrawn their services from communities in Niger State following deadly attacks by bandits and terrorists.

Two officers and four soldiers lost their lives last Friday in the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state during an ambush by the bandits which left over eight persons dead.

The PUNCH learnt that following the withdrawal of the soldiers on Thursday, hundreds of residents, including women, children, and the elderly have started vacating their ancestral homes and, trekking several kilometres to safety.

A resident, who is privy to the development, said that they were shocked to find the soldiers dismantling their tents ahead of withdrawing their services to the communities and called on the Niger State Government to quickly intervene to avert any attack by the bandits.

According to one of the residents who spoke to the media under the condition of anonymity, the withdrawal of the soldiers came two days after a military vehicle stepped on a landmine along the Allawa-Pandogari road, resulting in the casualty of an unspecified number of soldiers.

“We woke up on Thursday morning to find the soldiers dismantling their tents in readiness to leave the community. I don’t know if you are aware that on Tuesday, a military vehicle carrying some personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED. There was a heavy casualty as many soldiers lost their lives while some were injured. The injured are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road,” the resident said.

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It would be recalled that Tuesday’s incident occurred less than a week after the two officers, four soldiers, a vigilante, and a hunter lost their lives in an ambush at Roro when bandits ambushed them in Roro, Karaga, Rumace, and other farming communities.

Another resident, who gave his name as Yahuza Allawa, told the media that dozens of residents vacated their communities as early as 4 am trekking several kilometres heading towards Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba for safety.

“We are leaving our communities now and there are insufficient motorcycles and vehicles to take us out as quickly as possible. We are afraid. We left our belongings behind because we could not carry so many things. So many other people have left already

“We are moving to either Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba. And from Allawa to Erena which is the only exit road for us and it is at least 42km and we are trekking. We cannot wait to be killed by these heartless bandits and Boko Haram. This is a serious issue, please help us report this issue,” Allawa pleaded.

The residents lamented that with the withdrawal of the military personnel, they were now more vulnerable to attacks by bandits and called for immediate intervention from the state government.

Last year, no fewer than 30 officers and men lost their lives in attacks by the bandits and terrorists in Niger State. In August 2023, 20 soldiers lost their lives while others including vigilantes sustained injuries during an ambush along Zungeru-Tegina road while responding to distress calls in some communities in Wushishi LGA.

Less than 24 hours after that incident, an MI-171 NAF Helicopter was on a casualty evacuation mission when it crashed at about 1.00 pm near Chukuba Village, Shiroro. The crash was confirmed by the Nigeria Air Force authorities. An unconfirmed report, however, said that the helicopter was shot down by suspected bandits. The pilot died in the crash.

The PUNCH learnt from anonymous military sources that the military authorities complained that they could no longer bear the incessant killing of soldiers by bandits in the state.

In his reaction, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello Abdullahi, a retired Brigadier General, confirmed the withdrawal of the soldiers, saying it was part of the arrangements by the military to re-strategise on the best ways to tackle insecurity.

He said, “The whole thing is about administrative arrangements by the military to re-strategise to return in full strength”.

Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

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Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student

The Taraba State police command has confirmed the arrest of 28 suspects for various crimes, including the abduction of varsity students in the state.

State Police Commissioner CP. David Iloyanomon disclosed this during a press briefing in Jalingo on Thursday. He also revealed that the command is searching for the former Chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Mr. Shiban Tikari, in connection with the 2017 murder of a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi. Tikari is currently on the run.

Two suspects in Ibi’s murder were sentenced to life imprisonment last month for their involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the legislator. All suspects confessed that Tikari was the one who ordered the kidnapping and murder, prompting the judge to request his arrest.

Iloyanomon disclosed that the command has also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, as well as a tricycle, charms, 102 cows, a motorcycle, and other items.

He said, “There is no doubt that the Police Command, leveraging the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state and the good people of Taraba State, have worked assiduously to fight head-on all forms of criminality with remarkable achievements. Some of them are presented below.”

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The commissioner then proceeded to detail some of the arrests made, including:

Abdulkarim Ibrahim: Arrested in Perogal Tunga village, Sardauna LGA, for terrorizing villages in the local government. He confessed to involvement in several kidnappings.
Garba Yahaya and Abdullahi Usman Mohammed: Arrested in Gassol LGA for their involvement in a series of kidnappings and collecting ransom money.
Laulo Alhaji Adamu: A notorious kidnapper arrested in Bamanda Village, Lau LGA, for terrorizing Jimlari and Marraraban Kunini villages. He has confessed to several kidnappings.

Other criminal suspects were arrested for various crimes, including culpable homicide, armed robbery, illegal possession of arms, cyber crimes, banditry, criminal conspiracy, theft, and cattle rustling.

Iloyanomon also highlighted an incident where officers of the command turned down a bribe of ₦8,000,000 while on patrol. The Inspector General of Police commended these officers for their professionalism and urged others to emulate them.

The commissioner concluded by thanking the Governor of Taraba State for his commitment to combating crime and supporting security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the state. He reaffirmed the Taraba State Police Command’s commitment to upholding law and order.