FG’s Neglect Of IDPs, Humanitarian Crisis In Benue Worries Wike

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesome Wike has raised concern over the Federal Government’s indifference to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) situation in Benue State, and the consequent humanitarian crisis in the state.
He also condemned the activities of terrorist herdsmen in the state that lead to killings and displacement of the people from their ancestral homes.
Wike, who spoke, last weekend, when he visited his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, in Makurdi, the state capital, said the situation deserved adequate attention from the Federal Government as being done in the North-East and other parts of the country.
According to him, “Even if the Federal Government does not like the Benue State governor, they should support him because the people of the state voted for the president. The Federal Government should take care of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Benue as they do in the North-East and other states.”
He restated that he would continue to stand with Governor Samuel Ortom because he abhorred the injustice being meted against the state as a result of the governor’s principled position in defence of his people.
On the purpose of the visit, Wike said it was to identify and celebrate the New Year with his Benue State counterpart, who he described as a true friend and strong voice against maladministration in the country.
Wike recalled how Ortom counselled him on how to handle the untoward development in the PDP in Rivers State so as not to destroy the party, saying, “that is what I followed. And so, you are a good man who gives good advice.”
While pledging the continued support of his administration to the government and people of Benue State, Wike also acknowledged the confidence of the wife of his Benue State Governor, Dr Eunice Ortom, in the relationship he shared with her husband.
Asked if he was nursing presidential ambition, Wike said what was important at the moment was to build a formidable PDP before thinking of any ambition for any elective position.
In a remark, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom described Wike as “a pillar of support to the PDP, and a shining star in the political history of Nigeria who is helping to rebuild the party in a bid to rescue Nigeria from a failed APC leadership.”
Ortom recalled how Wike was instrumental to his return to the PDP in 2018, adding that the Rivers State governor had remained supportive ever since.