Rita Odafe
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On Sunday, former Benue Governor Chief Samuel Ortom asked his former Kogi counterpart, Yahaya Bello, to surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to defend his acts while in office.
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Yahaya Bello has declined the anti-graft agency’s request to defend himself for alleged involvement in over N80 billion fraud while in office.
However, Ortom recommended Bello to accept the EFCC’s invitation to defend his administration while addressing on Sunday at the Redeemed Church in Makurdi during a thanksgiving ceremony organized by his aides to commemorate his 63rd birthday anniversary.
The former Benue Governor further stated that Yahaya Bello’s continuous hiding would bring shame to former governors all over the country.
The former Benue governor also urged his former appointees to always come forth and account for their stewardship when called upon, claiming that they could only run if they had something to hide.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors. You don’t need to hide, you don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond.
“EFCC are human beings. If they are making enquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on phone, I could not, I have tried those around him, I could not so I want this to be noted.
“So wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press are here, he should come out,” Ortom said.
The former governor hailed the Benue people for their support during his eight-year reign and for celebrating him on his birthday.
He stated that being at the top for eight years was not an easy duty and encouraged the people to always pray for their leaders.
Ortom advised Benue youths to quit denigrating elders on social media and instead use the internet to improve their lives and bring development to the state.
“Do not insult the leaders or elders on social media. We all must be part of the process to bring peace so that progress, prosperity and development will come.
“The youth must take advantage of the social media to bring development to themselves and to the state.
“The whole world is in your palm, in your tablets and in your phone. Look at the essence of the internet.
“Now that you cannot go to the farms, go to the website and see what people are doing in other to be parts of the world and to add value and bring wealth to yourselves,” he said.
Ortom thanked God for his mercies in his life and family, saying he left the government house a better Christian and promised to continue to be and worship in the house of God.
In their remarks, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Michael Aondakaa, Chairman of the Benue PDP, Mr John Ngbede, and Sen Abba Moro all praised Chief Ortom for his tenacious struggle for people’s security.
They hoped that God would give him further opportunity to contribute to the state’s peace and growth.
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