YOU’RE TRYING TO WIN ATIKU OVER. EX-COUNCIL CHAIR RESPONDS TO ORTOM

Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, has debunked allegations made by Joseph Asawa, a former chairman of the Ushongo local council, who made false accusations against the governor during a press conference and on social media.

Following the successful launch of the Benue North West Senatorial campaign rally in Gboko earlier this week, Asawa stated that supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar were singled out for assault. He claimed that the governor had sponsored youths who reportedly assaulted him.

But according to a statement released on Friday by Nathaniel Ikyur, the chief press secretary for the governor of Benue State, “Governor Ortom could not have stooped so low to direct his followers to molest anyone at the Gboko rally as violence has never been part of his style of politics.

“Asawa is a benefactor of the governor’s tranquil demeanor since he had at various points throughout his term interfered between the former chairman of the Ushongo council and either his legislative council members or other stakeholders.

“This is incorrect, misleading, and a planned attempt by the former Council Chairman to utilize the Governor’s name and gain quick favor with the Atiku Abubakar camp.”

The governor “is a stickler for the rule of law,” Nkyur continued. Contrary to the former council chairman’s assertions, he has never employed thugs, whether it be during elections or at any other time. He also does not favor them.

“It is true that Governor Ortom made it easier for Hon Asawa to be nominated and then elected as the executive chairman of the Ushongo Local Government in 2020. As a result, he won’t return to destroy what he helped create.

He continued, “It is clear from Hon. Asawa’s outbursts that he wants to capitalize on the G-5 Governors’ call for fairness and equity—of which Governor Ortom is a member—to be acknowledged by the camp of the presidential candidate of our party.

The media aide advised the populace to reject the former chairman of Ushongo’s assertions that the governor sent the thugs who allegedly beat him up during the campaign rally.