Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue Sate yesterday labeled the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) a one-man show.
He also said he never at any time claimed that the party had given him Red Card.
He said it was the leader of the party in the state who said at several fora that he had given him red card.
He however said no amount of intimidation or personal attacks would make him abandon the people of the state.
He said it was regretful that APC in Benue State has now turned to demonize him for obvious selfish reasons.
The governor made the submissions in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase
He was reacting to claims by the party that it raised issues of governance with the governor following which he gave himself red card.
He called the APC statement hypocrisy of the highest order.
He said: โIt is on record that APC in Benue State has on many occasions, passed vote of confidence on Governor Ortom as a result of his performance.
โDuring the State Congress of the party at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, it adopted the Governor as its consensus candidate.
โAgain, the party publicly said its decision was based on the sterling stewardship of Governor Ortom within the last three years. But being the true democrat that he is, the Governor decided that other aspirants be also allowed to vie for the governorship seat to deepen internal democracy in the party.
โWe challenge APC in Benue State to bring out facts to back their claim that they had faulted the performance of the Governor. We equally challenge the party to make public evidence regarding their claims that bailout funds and Paris Club refund were diverted.
โWhile Governor Ortom appreciates the platform which APC gave him to offer service to the people of Benue State, it is regrettable that the same party has now turned to demonize him for obvious selfish reasons.
โOrtom has encouraged regular caucus and other stakeholdersโ meetings at which he constantly gives briefings about the security and financial challenges in the state.
He also gets feedback and input at such meetings.
โHis successful conduct of the local government elections which APC candidates overwhelmingly won chairmanship and councillorship positions throughout the state is proof of the popularity of his administration.
โThere has really been no need for the party to raise governance issues with Governor Ortom because he gives the leaders and the state working committee regular briefings at meetings and platforms mentioned above.
โBesides, the Governor announced to the people of the state receipts of monies and expenditures.
โGovernor Ortom gave the people of the state information about the bailout, Paris Club refunds and all other federal government interventions and explained how they could not meet all the final obligations with respect to payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions.
โThe claim by the APC that such matters were raised at the last State Congress or at a secret forum is therefore not tenable, misleading and insincere.
โThe APC State Congress was conducted in the public domain and issues of governance were not raised at the meeting.
โIt may also be necessary to point out that the last State Congress was not convened for the purpose of endorsing or electing the Governor, Senators and other representatives in the state or National Assembly.
โEven if that were the case, no one moved any motion for such endorsements and none supported or opposed.
โIt is therefore absurd for anyone to make heavy wind out of an endorsement that has no legal backing and cannot be relied upon.โ
The governor gave insights into how he is being frustrated by the leader of the party and APC in the state.
The statement added: โAt no time did Governor Ortom ever mention that the APC in Benue State gave him a red card.
He stated categorically that it was the leader of the party who said at several fora that he had given him red card.
โThe Governor made internal efforts to resolve the matter within the structure of the party at the state level before going public.
โThat APC in the state has issued the statement as if it is the leader of the party or as if they are one and the same, underscores Governor Ortomโs concern that the party structure in the state is out to satisfy the whims and caprices of one individual.
โIt is now clear that APC in Benue State has opted to mortgage the interest of the people of the state. The partyโs unprovoked attack on Governor Ortom points to where its interest lies.
โMore ridiculous is the fact that APC has become a one man show in Benue State. It should be on record that the attacks on Governor are coming now because he couldnโt meet some inordinate personal ambitions and interests of those who want to perpetually shortchange the people.
โThe media attack on Governor Ortom by the state chapter of APC is the beginning of the smear campaign about which we alerted Benue people and other Nigerians. More of such disparaging statements should be expected in the days to come.
โHowever, no amount of intimidation or personal attacks can make the Governor to abandon the people of Benue State. He has chosen to stand with the people and wonโt be distracted now or in the future.โ
