Benue youths blow hot over impeachment move against Ortom

Benue Youth Alliance For Ortom (BYAFO) 2019 have condemned what they
described as rascality exhibited by security agencies that backed
eight lawmakers in an attempted impeachment move against Governor
Samuel Ortom.

A press statement signed by National Coordinator of the group, Iorliam
Shija on Tuesday in Makurdi, said the youth group was pained by the
inglorious role played by Distinguished Senator George AKume, the
Nigeria Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and the suspended
Speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange on the failed attempt to oust Ortom.

Part of the statement reads: "We recall with sadness the Tiv political
crisis of the 1960s- Nande Nande and Atemtyo and warn the political
class not to take us back to those old days that our people were
killed due to political uprising. We particularly, call on Senator
Akume, a political leader and one of the ringleaders in the political
imbroglio in the state not to take us back to those days.

"More than usual bloodshed has flown in the state due to killings by
Fulani herdsmen and we cannot afford any more due to political
violence. All we expect from the people of good will; the political
class alike is to stand with Ortom in the implementation of the
Anti-Open Grazing Law, a necessary implement to ending killings by
armed herdsmen in the state and Nigeria at large than stoking embers
of political violence."

The statement added that "As young people, we are disappointed in
Ikyange for allowing himself to be used by self-seeking politicians to
destroy his political career that presumably has not even started."

Shija, who described Benue youth as pacesetters, resilient, focused
and truthful" noted that "as young people, that has always been our
expectation from Ikyange, to exemplify the true spirit of the Benue
youth. Instead, he has brought shame on the youth."

The youth group also called on the Commissioner of Police in the
state, Besan Gwana, to carry out his duties in the state as a good
cop, saying "We are keenly watching him."

The group further reiterated their stand with Governor Samuel Ortom,
and assured him of their continuous support.

Earlier, Governor Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary, Akase
Terver, Ortom said he was still the governor of the state, adding that
the lawmakers lack the constitutional powers to remove him from
office.