NEWS
Why Atiku Is Angry With Me, Ortom Explains
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), according to former governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom, is upset with him over a number of things, including his membership in the G-5 Integrity Group, his insistence on a southern president, and the implementation of the grazing law in Benue state.
The former governor responded to a recent statement attributed to a Special Assistant on Public Communication to the PDP presidential candidate, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, who allegedly lambasted members of the G-5 group for working against the victory of the PDP Presidential candidate in the election, in a statement released on Wednesday in Makurdi by his media assistant, Terver Akase.
In the statement, Mr. Shaibu had alleged that the G-5 governors were only seeking relevance, appointments, and protection from prosecution stressing that the decision of the G-5 governors not to support Atiku had nothing to do with patriotism.
Debunking the claim, Mr. Akase said: “We read a statement credited to the former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, claiming that the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and his colleagues in the G-5 worked against him during the last election but have ongoing corruption cases at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and are being protected by President Bola Tinubu.
“We are not sure that the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the PDP presidential candidate got his consent before making the statement; because if he did, he would have refrained from blaming the G-5 for his loss at the polls.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ought to be worried more that he has gone into history as the first presidential candidate of a leading political party to be rejected by key stakeholders including five sitting Governors and many other members of his party.
“The question that should bother him is, why did the G-5 and other members of the Integrity Group reject his candidacy? The group stood for justice, equity and fairness that the 2023 presidency must go to the southern part of the country and Nigerians saw the indisputable facts contained in the position of the Integrity Group and voted for a presidential candidate from the south.
“Atiku is angry because Governor Ortom and his colleagues in the G-5 refused to be used by him as ‘Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)’ to circumvent and thwart the resolve of Nigerians to produce a President from the southern region.
“Another reason for Atiku’s attack on Chief Ortom is the former Benue State Governor’s boldness to speak truth to his face and rebuke him for making unstatesmanlike comments regarding the killing of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen. Atiku is on record to have expressed bitterness towards Ortom for daring to enact a law to prohibit open grazing of livestock in the state.
“The former Vice President’s diatribe against Chief Ortom can therefore be understood as the manifestation of frustration for losing the 2023 election. His failure to humble himself and unite the PDP, opting to remain haughty even when the signals were clear that he was heading for defeat summarized his performance in the last election.”
“Atiku lacks the moral ground to accuse anyone else of corruption. The words of his erstwhile principal, the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo have remained indelible and incontrovertible.”
The statement referred to the book, ‘My Watch’ by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on pages 191-192 to buttress ex-Governor Ortom’s perception of the former Vice President.
According to Akase, “the role of anti-graft agencies is to investigate allegations of corruption. Whenever they invite someone, such a person has to honour the invitation. As a man who believes in the rule of law, Chief Ortom willingly visited EFCC when the Commission sought clarifications on the actions of his administration.
“We urge Nigerians to disregard the allegation by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against the former Benue State Governor as it is unfounded and tantamount to cheap blackmail.”
The House of Representatives has taken decisive action in response to the widespread shortage of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, by summoning the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
This move follows a motion of urgent public importance introduced by Shehu Ajilo, the representative for Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
While President Bola Tinubu currently holds the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Heineken Lokpobiri serves as Minister of State (Petroleum Resources), the specific minister summoned was not disclosed by the lawmakers.
Lawmakers anticipate receiving a briefing from the Minister regarding the fuel crisis, along with proposed measures to tackle the issue effectively.
Details later.. . .. . .
A tumultuous scene unfolded during the Senate’s return to plenary on Tuesday, marked by a heated altercation among senators over seating arrangements in the recently refurbished chamber.
Commencing around 11 am, the plenary commenced with the customary procession, followed by Senate President GodsWill Akpabio’s announcements, including recognition of lawmakers whose birthdays occurred during the recess.
Tensions escalated when Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) engaged in a vocal exchange with Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), with finger-pointing gestures exchanged between the two.
Subsequently, Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined Yau in confronting Bamidele and Senate Services chairman Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) regarding the seating arrangements.
Reports indicate that the dispute stemmed from discontent among senior senators regarding their seating positions, particularly those allocated seats in the front row on the far right side of the aisle.
In an attempt to restore order, the Senate President called for senators to address their grievances individually, yet Yau refused to comply, prolonging the tumultuous session for approximately 20 minutes.
Following the Senate President’s address, the Senate leader proposed a resolution to convene a closed-door session, which was subsequently approved.
At approximately 12:05 pm, the Senate transitioned into an executive session.
The Senate had adjourned plenary on March 20 until April 16, with resumption postponed twice to accommodate the completion of renovations on the chamber, which had been ongoing since 2022.
The resumption of Senate proceedings on Tuesday was marked by a heated confrontation as senators engaged in a row over seating arrangements.
The session, which began at 11 am, saw Senate President GodsWill Akpabio kick off with routine announcements, including recognition of birthdays celebrated by lawmakers during the break.
However, the atmosphere turned tense when Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) raised his voice at Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), sparking a fiery exchange.
Joining Yau, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) directed shouts at Bamidele and Senate Services chairman Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), who was overseeing seating arrangements.
Ranking Senators reportedly expressed frustration over their seating assignments in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.
Despite Senate President’s suggestion for them to approach the chair individually, Senator Yau declined.
The tumultuous session continued for approximately 20 minutes as senators exchanged heated remarks.
Following the Senate President’s welcome-back address, the Senate leader proposed transitioning to a closed-door session.
Subsequently, at approximately 12:05 pm, the Senate convened for an executive session.
Plenary, which was initially adjourned on March 20 until April 16, was postponed twice to accommodate the ongoing renovations of the chamber since 2022.
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