Governor Samuel Ortom has challenged those who believe his administration erred in enacting the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to speak against it publicly in the state and see the reaction of the people.
Governor Ortom threw the challenge Wednesday, 22nd June 2022 after receiving the award as Best Governor in Nigeria in the area of security given to him by the “Daily Independent” newspaper and other awards.
He said the law, which was enacted as a solution to the perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers has the endorsement of traditional and religious leaders, Christians and Muslims and other stakeholders who have all remained resolute that the law should not be repealed.
The Governor stressed that no matter the level of intimidation, harassment, attacks and deprivation, his Government would continue with the full implementation of the law, saying those who were thinking of coming to repeal the law were daydreaming.
Governor Ortom who lamented the daily invasion of Benue communities and killing of innocent people by the Fulani herdsmen whose agenda he said was to take over the land, urged the people to stand up to defend themselves and the land against the invaders.
He advised the people to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to regularize their Permanent Voters Cards to be able to elect leaders who would represent their interest in next year’s general election.
Governor Ortom dedicated the award to the people of Benue, particularly Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs who have been living in the camps since 2017 but have vowed to support his government not to surrender the state to the oppressors.
Other awards that were presented to the Governor during the Exco meeting in recognition of his contributions to the development of the country were from the International Council for Women Affairs, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Benue State branch and Gboko Polytechnic.
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