Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has enjoined youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment violence for their own selfish reasons which they intend to achieve.
Ortom who gave the advice in a chat with newsmen in Makurdi on the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, described the polls as relatively peaceful, free and fair.
“The election was relatively peaceful, free and fair. Though not 100 percent because there were issues. But, I thank INEC and security agencies for being professional. The state is really happy with the outcome of the results and that demonstrates what democracy is all about,” he said.
The governor who expressed joy over the outcome of the elections noted that once the wishes of people are done, everyone would be happy.
The governor however urged youths in the state, especially those he alleged to have been influenced by Senator George Akume to destroy PDP bill boards and other electoral materials while they were carrying out a celebration rally in honor of President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory to desist from doing so.
Ortom who maintained that the matter had already been reported to the appropriate quarters advised young people to rather tell politicians who try to use them for destruction of lives and property to send their own children instead for such purposes.
“Let me say arising from the shameful conduct of the senator representing zone B, who mounted on a vehicle and then mobilised some thugs who went around town, insulting people as usual in a drunken manner and destroying the PDP billboards in town to the extent of even looting at the Wadata market that this is uncalled for.
“This is a man who should be very grateful to God because for 20 years, he had the opportunity to serve this state. He should be grateful to people for allowing him to serve them, though with low performance rating. Throughout the period of his service, he had contested five times, so he should be able to reciprocate the good will of the people. Yesterday’s (Wednesday), attack on PDP supporters and destruction of billboards was uncalled for.
“You lost an election, once the results were not declared in your favour, you feel that you could result to violence, the honourable thing to do is to go to court, the tribunals are already there. I don’t believe that George Akume was in his normal sense from what I saw him doing yesterday in the name of celebrating the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Celebration should not turn stealing, breaking people’s shop, celebration should not turn destroying other people’s property or become problem to other citizens of the state because roads were blocked in the name of celebrating. It is not good enough for a citizen of his status so I think something is wrong with him,” the governor posited.