Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State on Wednesday was forced to remove the flag of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from his car when angry youths from his state under the aegis of Coalition of Benue Youths’ and comprising 40 groups stopped his car as he started to drive to Abuja.
The youths who stormed the Government House early in the morning also prevented the governor from proceeding to the nation’s capital, Abuja, where it was understood that he was to attend a meeting with APC leadership, with the aim of settling the rift between him and APC chairman in the state, George Akume.
Ortom’s convoy was blocked about 10am, by the youths who numbered up to hundred, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “Ortom, don’t go back to APC,” “We don’t have land to donate for ranching,” “APC is Miyetti party,” Our farms are not for cows,” You must leave APC,” Ortom is our party,” and “2019: On Ortom we stand.”
While speaking, Terrence Kuanum and Pastor Dave Ogbole who spoke on behalf of the youths advised the governor not to attend the meeting but to seek alternative platform for his re-election.
The youths threatened not to vote for him if he shuns their advice or attend the meeting.
One of the spokesmen, Ogbole, ordered the removal of APC flag from the governor’s official car, and the governor’s driver complied immediately and removed the flag.
“We need a leader that will protect us and you have shown that in the past three years; but we don’t want you to attend the meeting with the leaders of APC.
“But if you insist, there is no problem; but be ready to crush all of us,” Ogbole said.
The governor, who pleaded with the youths to allow him attend the meeting with the promise to protect their interest, eventually did a U-Turn when the youths insisted that he should not go.
“I know the support you have shown and still show to me, but I promise you that I will protect your interest,” the governor pleaded.
