Ortom Meets Buhari Over Herdsmen/Farmers Crisis In Benue

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday, met President Muhammadu Buhari over the growing security concerns in the state.

The Governor also discussed with Mr. President over the threats emanating from Meyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria plans to make the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Act Impossible.

Ortom while addressing newsmen after his meeting with the president said; “I came to brief Mr. President on the security situation in my state, about the threat by Miyetti Allah members that have even taken us to court; the threat that they will make the Anti-Open Grazing Act impossible for the people of Benue State.

Ortom also intimated Mr. President on the general security situation in the state. He however promised to do everything possible to protect lives and property of the people.

He said his administration would start the implementation of the Act by November 1 despite opposition by the herdsmen.

“Those who want to stay in Benue State and do cattle business must ranch their cattles, this is what we are saying.

“As far as we are concerned the law is not targeted at any individual, group of people or ethnic group. It is meant to protect everyone who is living in Benue State.

“Miyetti Allah has taken us to court and we are there with them. But I don’t see how they will come and overrun Benue and make it ungovernable, it is not going to be accepted.”

He added, “We stand by what we have done; we have played our legitimate, lawful role as governor as citizens of the state. So, we don’t see how somebody will sit somewhere and say that we should not implement a law that has restored peace to our place.

“If you want to bring confusion, I want to assure you that I have directed the security men to arrest those people. I am calling for the arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah, to be prosecuted to serve as deterrent.”

Ortom also said that there was no other credible candidate for the 2019 presidential election that had the capacity to move Nigeria forward apart from President Muhammadu Buhari.

While saying he was happy seeing Buhari “bouncing every day,” the governor prayed that God would help the President to lead the nation till 2023.

“I came to appreciate the President and to encourage him to be steadfast and committed to his leadership.

“I believe that what God brought him to achieve in this country, he will definitely achieve it.

“Now we see him bouncing every day to the glory of God. We appreciate this and we look forward that God will help him to take us through 2015 to 2019 and then 2019 to 2023,” he said, adding, “for now, there is no credible candidate as far as I know that has the capacity to take Nigeria out of where we are today.”