Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has scolded the minister for defence Mansur Dan-Ali, asking him to apologise to Nigerians for demanding the suspension of the anti-grazing law.
He stated this on Tuesday at an event to showcase the National livestock transformation plan an event organised by the Office of the Vice-president, Professor Yemi Osibajo.
The call for the suspension of the law which has been operational in Ekiti, Trans and Benue as recently suggested by the defence minister Dan Ali, seems to have angered the governor of the state which have experienced horrific incidences of herders killings.
minister for defence, Dan Ali
In his words “Honourable minister (Audu Ogbeh), just one thing, I’m part of this government and I appreciate what this government is doing – so since the honourable minister of defence is not a member of NEC and you are constantly in NEC and you are member of the federal executive council where other ministers will be there. What you have said is very important, there should have be a level of caution,” Ortom said.
Ortom Warned that there should be caution by those in government as regards the crisis, stating that the statement of Dan Ali has cast the government in bad light.
The Benue Governor called for sensitivity to what is going on in the country, explaining that such statement has created a divided opinion as regards the legitimate law.
In his own word Ortom condemned the Minister’s call as not good enough.” it is casting the government in bad light and the minister of the federal republic should represent the interest of Nigerians. He should not be the mouthpiece of Miyetti Allah in a conflict involving Nigerians”
“Especially when it is not your technical supervision. He should have allowed it to you the honourable minister of agric who has the responsibility of managing this to say or making such inflammatory statements because a lot of people read different meanings to it. Coming from a security council meeting and making such statements.”
The Governor stated that some people took it as the opinion of the security council. “ he needs to apologise to Nigerians.” He emphasised.
Ortom asserted that the anti-grazing law was put in place out of desperation to find peace and proffer a lasting solution to incessant killings in the affected region.
