TheCable

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, says Nigeria lacks courageous leaders who can tell the federal government the truth.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at a lecture organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of its 2021 press week, Ortom said the country does not have sustainable leadership that can save the nation.

He said the spate of kidnappings of citizens across the country is a dangerous trend.

“I have learnt from my experience that Nigeria has critical deficit of sustainable leadership. We seem to have a dearth of bold and courageous leaders who will clearly identify with what is good, and loudly tell the nation,” Ortom said.

“We have a lot of lily-livered people who masquerade as national and regional leaders in this country but are afraid to speak and advise the federal government correctly.

“Many leaders have confided in me that our position on ranching of livestock and rule of law to ensure justice, fairness and equity are good, not only for Benue state but for Nigeria as a whole. But they cannot speak publicly to support it.

“Where then are our elder statesmen and women? Where are our political leaders who will speak out loudly instead of whispering in closets on crucial and critical national issues, including an existential challenge such as the herdsmen sack and pogrom of entire villages and communities in Benue State and other parts of the country?

“Herdsmen attacks on farmers will only end when open grazing is completely eliminated. Many countries in the world including those in Africa have embraced ranching.”

The governor added that there is an allegation that the current insecurity was caused by desperate politicians who brought into the country foreign mercenaries to help them win elections.