Drama as NAF officials stop Gov Ortom from receiving VP Osinbajo on transit

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Security operatives on Saturday denied Benue Governor Samuel Ortom access to the Air Force Base on his way to receive Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Vice President was on his way to Wukuri, Taraba State en route to Benue to attend the convocation of the Federal University, Wukari.

Addressing journalists at Government House Makurdi, Ortom described the action of the security operatives as unacceptable, breach of protocol, and politics have taken too far.

Fuming, the Governor said: “How can I go to the Air Force base and I am bounced back? In my State? It’s politics taken too far and somebody was account for it.

“I feel so sad that there are certain things you don’t play politics with it and I must continue to talk about this injustice.”

He expressed regret he had set out to attend the burial of Professor Ignatius Ayua but had to delegate his Deputy to receive the Vice President after a communication from the Presidency on the Vice President’s transit visit.

The letter to the Governor from the State House Abuja was dated 10th February 2022 with reference VP/SP/DOP/26 and titled: “Visit of His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Wukari, Taraba State transiting NAF Base, Makurdi, on Saturday, 12th February 2022”

The letter, which was signed by Ambassador Abdullahi Qwary, said the Vice President would return through the same route in the afternoon.

The Governor wondered why he should be treated like that by the Air Force personnel in the State where he is the Chief Security Officer.

He vowed to report the matter to the Vice President for necessary action, stressing that there must be a clear difference between politics and governance.