Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Saturday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, convoke a National Dialogue Forum that would afford all Nigerians the opportunity to speak on issues affecting the country, particularly insecurity and proffer solutions.
Ortom stated that such a forum would serve as an interim measure to put an end to the wave of threats and counter-threats emanating from different sections of the country.
The governor who made the call while playing host to the President of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Reverend Stephen Panya Baba, at Government House, Makurdi, enjoined security agencies not to ignore those beating drums of war.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should convoke a National Dialogue Forum where Nigerians would frankly speak on issues affecting the country, particularly insecurity and proffer solutions”, he said.
He condemned the latest order by Miyetti Allah’s Kautal Hore to its members to defend themselves against ethnic militia attacks.
Ortom said the order was capable of causing unimaginable violence, stressing that it was unfair that the group would continue to make statements capable of setting the nation on fire yet officials of the group were not invited for questioning.
Ortom, however, urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to resettle internally displaced persons, living in various camps in Benue State following herdsmen attacks on the state last year.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo had visited the IDP camps in May 2018 and announced that the Federal Government had earmarked N10 billion for the resettlement of victims of the attacks in Benue and other states.
Ortom said resources of Benue State had been overstretched as they had to manage the IDP camps. He added that if the Federal Government redeemed its pledge, the funds would greatly assist the state in returning the affected persons to their ancestral homes.
Ortom stated that such a forum would serve as an interim measure to put an end to the wave of threats and counter-threats emanating from different sections of the country.
The governor who made the call while playing host to the President of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Reverend Stephen Panya Baba, at Government House, Makurdi, enjoined security agencies not to ignore those beating drums of war.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should convoke a National Dialogue Forum where Nigerians would frankly speak on issues affecting the country, particularly insecurity and proffer solutions”, he said.
He condemned the latest order by Miyetti Allah’s Kautal Hore to its members to defend themselves against ethnic militia attacks.
Ortom said the order was capable of causing unimaginable violence, stressing that it was unfair that the group would continue to make statements capable of setting the nation on fire yet officials of the group were not invited for questioning.
Ortom, however, urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to resettle internally displaced persons, living in various camps in Benue State following herdsmen attacks on the state last year.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo had visited the IDP camps in May 2018 and announced that the Federal Government had earmarked N10 billion for the resettlement of victims of the attacks in Benue and other states.
Ortom said resources of Benue State had been overstretched as they had to manage the IDP camps. He added that if the Federal Government redeemed its pledge, the funds would greatly assist the state in returning the affected persons to their ancestral homes.
Reverend Panya Baba commended Governor Ortom, who he said stood firmly with his people despite the security and political storm, saying it was an indication that the Governor was a leader who truly loves his people.