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Failure the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, to reproach the armed herdsmen militia responsible for the killings in Benue state smacks of complicity and tacit support for the killer herders.
Mr Terver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, said Friday in a statement.
“We are convinced that Mr. President was not aware that his aide Shehu made such a statement on his behalf. “It is clear that the media aide didn’t speak for the President in the said statement”.
“President Buhari wouldn’t have given approval for such a reckless and insensitive press release. what is wrong with Governor Ortom’s call on the President to address the nation, convene a national security summit and declare a state of emergency on security, following the spate of killings taking place in Benue and the remaining states of the federation?”
“Governor Ortom is not the only one who is worried by the worsening security situation in the country and has called on the President to rise to his responsibilities by declaring a state of emergency on security and convening a summit to address the numerous security challenges bedeviling the nation”.
“Many other Nigerians of good conscience have at different times made similar calls. What the Governor therefore deserves is commendation and not condemnation. If Garba Shehu claims that the President is disappointed in the Benue State Governor for speaking against the sustained attacks on his people, we wonder how he feels about the killings in North East, North West, South East, South West, and other parts of the North Central.Are those killings occurring as a result of the comments of Governors of the affected states?”