May God make you succeed as leader – Gov Ortom replies Gov Wike

Governor Ortom says he will continue to pray for Wike despite the Rivers state governor’s utterance against him

– Wike had called on the federal government to declare state of emergency on Benue over the killings in the state

– But Ortom says the killings in Rivers were greater than that of Benue

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has said that despite the utterances of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state against him, he would continue to pray for him (Wike) to succeed in the tedious task of governance.

Ortom was reacting to Wike’s statement where he called on the federal government to declare state of emergency on Benue over the killings in the state.

Governor Wike had accused Ortom of ‘ineptitude’.

But in his response, Governor Ortom said he has left Wike to his ‘conscience’, adding that the killings in Rivers were greater than that of Benue.

He said: “It is laughable when I read Wike’s report, it is unfortunate that someone of his status will be making such outburst because there are more killings in Rivers than Benue.

“In Rivers, there is no rule of law but here in Benue there is rule of law, that is why we have taking proactive steps to stop the Fulani herdsmen attacks on our people.”

Governor Ortom said that at the time he assumed office, he inherited a state where everything was at comatose.

According to him, the criminality was high when he assumed office.

He added: “With the steps my administration had taken, you all are witness to the fact that crime in the state has been reduced to barest minimum.

“But as a leader with fear of God I will continue to pray for him, let God help him to succeed, I leave him with his conscience.”

plusmilang.com reports that about 60 persons, including women and children, have been killed in recent attacks, with several others sustaining various degrees of injury.

The latest attack was an invasion of Zaki Biam, in Ukum local government area of Benue.