Sheath your sword against SGF, Ortom tells Gov Alia

Former governor of Benúe State, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday advised his successor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, to sheath his sword against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in the interest of development of the state.

Ortom gave the advice at a public lecture organised by his former appointees to celebrate his 63rd birthday in Makurdi, the Benúe State capital.

“I appreciate the Governor of Benúe State, Hyacinth Alia, who sent a message to congratulate me on my birthday. I look at the two last paragraph of the message and I think it’s important to return a message to him too.

“The governor must sheath his sword and find ways of reconciliation with the SGF. This is the first time SGF is coming to our state. We have never had one before so we can join hands for the development of the state.

“Anyone who is advising him otherwise does not mean well for our state. It’s our responsibility to do the needful so that Benúe will be at peace,” he said.

The former governor stressed that elections and litigations had ended and it was time to build irrespective of party affiliations.

He further offered his services whenever needed by the current administration in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence, adding that every hands must be on deck to tackle any challenges headlong.

Ortom apologised for any wrong he had done to individuals while in government and said he forgave everyone who offended him, adding that decisions he took while in office was largely to ensure justice, fairness and equity.

The former governor who expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love shown to him on his birthday.

“I thought I was used and dumped; but today, I raise my head and thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve as governor in Benúe State for eight years,” Ortom said.