The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has refused to help him clear some of the state’s financial issues simply because he speaks the truth.
Ortom also said that he has been approached by some people from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who said that help could only come to Benue State if he (Ortom) returns to the party.
“The federal government has refused to help me in terms of ensuring that we clear the arrears of pension and gratuity which I inherited. It wasn’t my fault. Aper Aku had arrears of salaries and gratuity, Akume had, Adasu had, Suswan had and I also have. I also inherited it. 70 billion arrears of pensions, salaries and gratuity. It is not a new thing.
“The Federal Government gave me N28 billion and I appropriated it and unfortunately, it was not enough. Other people have been given more, but the Federal government, because of my stance in telling the truth, has refused to give me support.
“People came to me and said if you move to APC, we will support you and I said I cannot sell my people out like others are doing today, I can’t sell my people, I remain committed with the people.
