
<<< By Terver Akase >>>
The media attacks launched against Governor Samuel Ortom are understandable because he has stood firmly against oppression and taken sides with his people. His persecution was predicted before it became apparent that he was leaving the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The resultant probe of the Governor’s security vote by EFCC is therefore well situated as it was also expected knowing the ferocious nature of architects of the plot against Benue people.
The smear campaign targeted at wife of the Governor, Dr Eunice Ortom that she is being investigated by EFCC is not only false and unfortunate but it also goes to show our emptiness and crass desparation as a people.
Any society which makes women objects of attacks needs to quickly retrace its steps.
Dr Eunice Ortom has demonstrated uncommon leadership qualities as a mother for all, irrespective of party affiliations, ethnicity and religion. Her humanitarian services through Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, ESLF are selfless gifts to the state and country.
As First Lady of Benue State, her office does not have a fiscal vote or subhead. It runs on individual or corporate donations as well as grants. I remember the night Mrs Ortom hosted a crowd of friends, businessmen, politicians among other Nigerians for the launch of her foundation at Benue Hotels on June 14, 2016, the Governor’s wife made a compelling presentation that drew emotions from her guests who willingly donated huge sums of money for the commencement of the foundation.
Mrs Ortom has since gone ahead to attract funding well outside government for the project which handles health and related projects for the foundation.
It is therefore ridiculous for anyone to link the Governor’s wife with graft of any guise. Like her husband, Dr Eunice Ortom is a woman who fears God and upholds the values of hardwork, honesty and transparency.
Politics is said to be a ‘dirty game’ where all manner of bile is hurled at opponents, but the dimension it has taken in Benue calls for caution.
Let’s leave mothers of our state out of the political game of throes taking place in our land. I don’t want anyone to tell me how bad Mrs Eunice Ortom is. Don’t tell me how bad Mrs Yemisi Suswam is. Don’t tell me injurious things about Mrs Regina Akume. I don’t need your thoughts about Mrs Helen Mark. I’m not interested in anyone’s negative views about Chief Mrs Vicky Gemade and other mothers of our state.
We may castigate their husbands for political capital but let’s not drag them into our angst filled campaign of calumny.
That’s not who we are. We are a people with a rich cultural heritage that accords womanhood a prestigious place.
We are Benue people. Politics is not strong enough to make us lose our core values.