Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East) has described as mischievous, a statement credited to a group, alleging that his successor, Samuel Ortom was instigating anti graft agencies against him.
He also declared that the statement is the handiwork of opposition ‘elements’ who were not comfortable with the cordial relationship existing between him (Suswam) and Governor Ortom.
The Senator who made the remark in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday pointed out that the group had also alleged that the aim of Ortom is to ensure that he (Suswam) was convicted and sent to prison ahead of the 2023 elections.
Independent authoritatively reports that the same story had made the rounds in 2018 when groups and individuals had alleged that Suswam may be jailed ahead of the 2019 general election.
The only addition to the story is that, this time around, the group is sayinh that Governor Ortom is the one instigating the probes, whereas in 2018, it was stated that it was the Federal Government that planned to jail Suswam for his refusal to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Suswam who alleged that the opposition was behind the allegations, stressed that no amount of grandstanding would change his relationship with the Governor, insisting that their plans will fail.
In the statement, Suswam said, “My attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement by a faceless group which alleged that Governor Samuel Ortom is inciting anti-graft agencies to ensure that I go to prison ahead of the 2023 elections.”
“I consider the statement as the work of opposition elements who are uncomfortable with the prevailing cordial relationship between me and the Governor.”
“It is pertinent to state that the unity that currently exists between Governor Ortom and me is in the interest of Benue people. No amount of shenanigans from anyone or group can change that fact. I advise those fanning embers of discord to stop wasting their time.”
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a united family in Benue state, and no matter how the opposition plot to cause disaffection within our ranks, they will fail.”