The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has showered praise on the former governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, for honouring the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s invitation for questioning over his eight years tenure in office.
Ortom visited the Makurdi office of the anti-graft agency on Tuesday following an invitation.
Speaking on the former governor’s submission to the EFCC’s invitation in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the party hailed Ortom’s action as exemplary.
The statement read in part, “Ex-governor Ortom earlier today went over to the Makurdi office of the EFCC to honour the invitation extended to him by the Commission, and our great party hails his conduct as exemplary and reflecting the clarity of conscience.
“The former governor’s action also depicts him as a man of his word as it fulfils promises he made while in office that at the end of his tenure, he will be willing to give an open account of all that he did in execution of the mandate vested in him as governor by the Benue electorate.”
The statement added that Ortom will be the first ex- governor of the state to willingly submit himself to the anti-graft agency for questioning after his tenure in office.
Iortyom further noted that the party is highly pleased with the former governor’s conduct.
“PDP notes that while this won’t be the first time a former governor will be answering questions before the anti-graft body, Ortom’s case is remarkably distinct for the lack of rancour and acrimony which usually attend such appearances.
“The party is satisfied that Ex-Governor Ortom’s conduct is a clear reflection of his having no skeletons in his cupboard, which he should be running away from, as ‘only the guilty usually are afraid.’
“We urge other holders of public office to emulate the Ortom standard by discharging their duties and responsibilities while in the office within the confines of law so they may be able to come to open an account when called upon without any fear.”
Meanwhile, at the time of this report, 5:15 p.m., the former governor was yet to leave the EFCC Makurdi Zonal Office.
