The Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that the Former Senate President in the 7^th Senate, Senator David Mark is telling lies. Governor Ortom also asked senator Mark to come to the state for better clarification on his misconception of his (Ortom’s) developmental strides in the state.

Governor Ortom was reacting to a mocking statement credited to the Ex-Senate President who had, while commissioning some projects in Rivers state, said that while Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers was busy commissioning projects such as roads and bridges, his own state governor, Ortom, was also busy distributing wheelbarrows to youths as empowerment.

However, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the Benue state Governor said although Senator Mark is just jealous of his achievements in Benue as well as his rising profile amongst his people, he (Ortom) would nonetheless discuss things over with the ex-Senate President whom he regards as an elder statesman.

“When you hear the likes of David Mark, who are supposed to be an elder statesman, go to make false propaganda against people who are supposed to be his subjects, I used to regard him as an elder, but it’s unfortunate he is telling lies.

Senator David Mark & Gov. Samuel Ortom

“Those wheelbarrows were brought to us by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to be distributed to displaced people who need them.

“They actually need those wheelbarrows and they were given to the state emergency relief body for onward distribution to the victims. And for whatever reasons, the agency wrote my name that I was distributing it.

“But as soon as that was drawn to my attention, I refuted it and I said this is not my property.

“In empowerment, I have several programmes for the youth and this one is not meant for the youths. It was distributed to displaced people.

“So, it was just meant to blackmail me because PDP in Benue are still dreaming, including David Mark, that I am governor and I won election.

“I left them (PDP) because of the injustice they did to me and I came to APC and found a platform. The people accepted me and I won. They are out to blackmail me and it will not work because there is no iota of truth.”

“Of course, they have been propagating that they want to take over the leadership in 2019 but I think they are just dreaming because even when it was pepper, I was able to finish the food, how much more now that it’s with chicken and sesame seed.  You know it’s easier to eat and the people we are working with, we have gotten more support.

“More people have decamped from the PDP to the APC. So, where will they go? The local government election is coming up on June 3. I want them to come up and compete.

“It’s unfortunate that even to present candidates, there are factions and up till today.

“I am told that they have six candidates out of the 23 local governments. It is their problem. They should go and sort out their own problem. All I am concerned is to bring development to my people,” Governor Ortom said.

Continuing, the Governor said, “On the 22 May, I invited all Benue stakeholders, David Mark was invited and I was given standing ovation. That alone is an indication that Benue people are pleased with me in all sectors despite all the challenges especially in funding.

“I have cleared arrears of salaries. These people are just jealous, David Mark is jealous and all his cohorts are jealous. They have left Benue State and went to Rivers and met and came and disturb us in Benue State. Let them come to Benue State.” he added

“I don’t think it’s about quarrel. For a very senior citizen of that level to spread falsehood and tell lies against his governor when I invited them to stakeholders meeting where my two year scorecard was delivered to my people and they accepted it and appreciated what we are doing and he refused to come only to go to Rivers and be telling lies against me, It’s unfortunate.

“Anytime I have the opportunity I think we will discuss things over,” he concluded.