TheCable

Samuel Ortom, Benue state governor, says he will institute a lawsuit against George Akume, minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, for allegedly peddling false information about him and his administration.

Terver Akase, chief press secretary to the governor, confirmed the development to TheCable.

Speaking at the government house, Makurdi, on Wednesday, the governor was quoted as saying: “I did not want to join issues with the minister, so I choose the honourable way.”

According to him, “the minister lost his senatorial ambition in 2019 because of his abysmal performance and now he has gone all out to vent his anger on me by destabilising my government, but I am not deterred because this is not the first time”.

“In 2018, he also instigated members of the state assembly to impeach me and they resisted by impeaching the then speaker. So, we will meet at the court,” Ortom added.

“I don’t want to join issues with the minister but I have to put the records straight for all Nigerians and beyond to know, because all the allegations by the minister in the said press conference were cheap lies and blackmail, it is just to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it, so let him explain all the allegations at the court.”

Akume, at a media briefing on Monday, had asked Ortom to tender an “unreserved apology” to Buhari over his recent interview and for using “foul language” against the president.

The minister also asked the president to declare a state of emergency in Benue and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the administration of Ortom.

Reacting to Akume’s comments, Akase said the minister spoke against Ortom in order “to secure a meal ticket”.