I’m available to defend my administration whenever the need arises, says Ortom

Samuel Ortom, the immediate former governor of Benue, says he is available to defend decisions taken when he governed the state whenever the need arises.

According to NAN, Ortom spoke through a statement issued on Wednesday by Terver Akase, his media aide.

The former governor urged his supporters not to heat up the polity but to remain calm and be law-abiding in the face of alleged provocation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Ortom appreciated concerns expressed by different people over his alleged harassment through petitions to anti-graft agencies, as well as arrests of his appointees and impoundment of his vehicles.

“I am capable of responding to the issues being raised against me and other officials of my government and I have always made known my belief in the rule of law,” Ortom was quoted as saying.

“I am ready to make myself available to respond to issues bordering on my administration whenever the need arises,” Ortom was quoted as saying in the statement.

Ortom lost his Benue north-west senatorial bid in the last elections to Titus Zam, candidate of the APC.

In July, the asset recovery committee set up by Hyacinth Alia, governor of the state, raided an automobile shop allegedly owned by Ortom.

Alia had accused Ortom’s administration of looting, alleging that he “met no single car or truck in government house”.

The committee was said to have seized some vehicles during the operation and used towing vans to pull out others after attempts to drive them away failed.