- Governor Samuel Ortom is a man who openly identifies with God in most of his comments
- Social media reports linking the governor to an uncomplimentary remark about a church denomination had been circulating for a while
- The governor dismissed the reports as the work of opposition elements in the state
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has dismissed social media reports linking him to uncomplimentary remarks about a church denomination.
In a statement sent to NAIJ.com by his chief press secretary, Mr Terver Akase, Governor Ortom said the report was the handwork of opposition elements in the state.
The statement urged the people of Benue state to ignore the rumours, adding that it was a grand design by failed politicians to make the state ungovernable.
Governor Ortom has openly identified with all church denominations at all times. Photo credit: samuelortom.com
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“We wish to urge the good people of Benue state to ignore the statement being circulated on social media by members of the opposition in the state quoting Governor Samuel Ortom as making uncomplimentary remarks about one of the biggest churches in the land.
“We had alerted the public to watch out for more sponsored campaigns from the opposition to smear Governor Ortom. The statement in question is part of that grand design by failed politicians who, after being rejected by the people in the last general election, have vowed to make Benue ungovernable.
“As a leader who came in God's name and was popularly elected by the people, Governor Ortom knows the role the church played in his emergence as governor of the state and he has remained in constant touch with all Christian denominations. He therefore couldn't have turned round to make the said remarks against any denomination of the church,” part of the statement read.
The governor described opposition politicians in the state as people bereft of ideas, stressing that they have resorted to desperate attempts to set him up against the church.
“This is another poorly tailored plan by the opposition ahead of the 2019 elections. The plot has already failed like many others before it,
“We challenge those circulating the "quote" to publish the evidence of where and when the governor made the statement,” the statement added.
Governor Ortom assured the people of the state that he remains focused on the task of leading the state out of its economic debris caused by the previous administration.
He reiterated his commitment to remain focused in service delivery and not be distracted by hate comments from the opposition.
Governor Ortom recently returned from an investment trip to the Peoples Republic of China, where he interacted with several investors on the need for them to invest in Benue state.
The governor's trip was said to have been successful as efforts are on the way to revive the Igumale Cement Factory, cassava production and seed improvement in the state.
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Watch Governor Ortom and All Progressives Congress chieftains in Benue state speak on opposition elements in Benue state on NAIJ.com TV: