Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has refuted claims that he harboured hatred for the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, clarifying that his criticisms were aimed solely at the government’s handling of security issues in Benue.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Ortom defended his position, stating he had a duty to protect his constituents.
“I didn’t hate Buhari, his government, or any Fulani individual,” Ortom said. “I was elected to ensure the security and welfare of my people. That’s what I stood for.”
He explained that his criticisms stemmed from the federal government’s failure to effectively tackle security threats during his tenure.
“I couldn’t continue to bury innocent citizens in silence. I had to speak up,” he added. “But beyond raising alarms, my administration proposed practical solutions which we believed could resolve the crisis.”
Ortom argued that if the Buhari-led government had accepted and implemented his recommendations, the current security issues in Benue would have been resolved.
He also criticised initiatives such as the Ruga ranching programme, calling them superficial and ineffective in addressing the root of the violence.
“There’s no herder-farmer crisis as claimed. These armed herders invade our communities, kill residents, destroy farms, rape women, and commit atrocities. That’s the real issue,” Ortom said.
He concluded by asserting that he acted out of duty and concern for the lives of his people, not political or ethnic bias.