Daniel Onjeh, a former senatorial candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue South, has slammed Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike for attacking governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Onjeh, who described Wike’s comment as ‘noise from an empty barrel’ said the Rivers governor’s recent call for declaration of state of emergency in Benue State was uncalled for and out of point.
The governor had called on the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency on Benue State so as to end the incessant killings.
“Benue Governor has lost control. That is why there is an immediate need to declare a state of emergency for the restoration of security and protection of the people.
“If you are from Benue State, I apologise. But when Rivers State had security challenges, Governor Ortom of Benue State was amongst the APC governors who plotted for the declaration of state of emergency in the state,” Wike had said.
Reacting on Friday via a short SMS forwarded to Onjeh, a former students’ union leader said Wike was bereaved of ideas, hence his unguarded statement.
He said, “Nyeson Wike’s attack on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is a noise from an empty barrel! Those who are bereaved of ideas are quick to using their brawn rather than brains; Wike is in that class.
“Was he expecting a governor who successfully executed amnesty program to raise militia and proliferates arms in defense of Benue citizens? Nay! Ortom is an adherent of the law, and he’s too refined for that; asking for a security reinforcement from the C-in-C, President Buhari as he did, is not a sign of weakness, as claimed by Wike, but wisdom & objectivity,” the APC chieftain said.
Meanwhile, governor Ortom has also fired back at Wike for calling him an unqualified leader.
Ortom in a statement on Thursday, warned Wike to focus of his state where there are more killings.
“In Rivers, there is no rule of law but here in Benue there is rule of law; that is why we have taken proactive steps to stop the Fulani herdsmen attacks on our people,” Ortom said.
