Benue PDP backs Ortom as EFCC grills ex-gov

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Benue PDP backs Ortom as EFCC grills ex-gov

The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State has applauded ex-governor Samuel Ortom, for voluntarily submitting himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday.

The PDP said this in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, who noted that this was not the first time a former governor of the state would be invited by the anti-graft agency.

In the early hours of Tuesday, news filtered in that Ortom arrived at the Markurdi zonal office of the EFCC for a meeting with the anti-graft agency.

Our correspondent reports that the former governor rode in a sport utility vehicle with tinted glass alongside a backup vehicle occupied by two of his private aides.

The convoy arrived at the EFCC office located on Gordon Aluor Street, Old GRA, Makurdi, around 10.08am.

The ex-governor was promptly led to the office of the Zonal Commander, Friday Ebelo.

One of his former aides, who did not want to be mentioned, told journalists, who kept watch on the EFCC office, that the invitation was normal.

The aide said, “You know, it is a normal routine after leaving the office. There is a likelihood that some people have written to the commission about the former governor’s administration in the past eight years.

“So, in this case, he (Ortom) is being investigated for the eight years of his administration, and he has to be diligent in whatever he writes with the guidance of his lawyer. So that when he gets to court, he will not be contradicting himself.”

He expressed confidence that Ortom would be granted administrative bail.

The governor reemerged from the EFCC premises at about 8pm and drove away.

Meanwhile, the state’s PDP described the former governor as a man of his word, who had already promised to give an open account of his two-term tenure whenever he was called to do so.

The party said, “The former governor’s action also depicts him as a man of his words as it fulfills promises he made while in office that at the end of his tenure, he will be willing to give an open account of all that he did in execution of the mandate vested in him as governor by the Benue electorate.

“The PDP notes that while this won’t be the first time a former governor will be answering questions before the anti-graft body, Ortom’s case is remarkably distinct for the lack of rancour and acrimony that usually attend such appearances.

“The party is satisfied that ex-governor Ortom’s conduct is a clear reflection of his having no skeletons in his cupboard, which he should be running away from, as ‘only the guilty usually are afraid.”

The party said Ortom’s conduct should be emulated by other public office holders “to come to give an account when called upon without any fear.”