Attempt on Ortom’s life, invitation to anarchy

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday described Saturday’s assassination attempt on the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, as an invitation to anarchy.

While condemning the attack, the PDP governors also charged the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion by ensuring the protection of lives and property of all Nigerians, irrespective of their social standing in society.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Attempt on Governor Ortom, an invitation to anarchy: Enough is enough’, signed by the PDPGF Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Tambuwal said the forum received news of the attempt on Ortom’s life with shock.

While condemning the act, the PDP governors said, “We wish therefore to warn that any attempt to harm any Nigerian will be viewed by the Forum as an attempt on all of us.

“We believe strongly that any dispute or perceived dispute should be and must be resolved amicably without resorting to violence.

“Nigeria is not a Babana Republic, even though certain retrogressive elements and centrifugal forces are trying to consign Nigeria into a failed state.

“It remains the primary responsibility of the government, especially the Federal Government, who has a monopoly of the coercive forces of state, to secure the lives and livelihoods of our people, however low or high. Every Nigerian deserves equal protection of the laws.

“Every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and free exercise of all rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, subject only to law. Nigeria is still a democracy and a nation of laws and not men.”

In response, the APC in a statement titled, ‘APC condemns attack on Governor Ortom’s convoy’, which was signed by its National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, on Sunday, expressed gratitude to God for sparing the governor’s life.

While condemning the attack, the APC said, “We thank God for his safety and praise the dutiful security details for repelling the attack.

“The APC reiterates that we must all collaborate to end criminality in all forms. A crime is a crime and should not be politicised in any way.”