Samuel Ortom, the former Governor of Benue State, has pleaded with Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, urging him to emerge from hiding and present himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
As reported by Vanguard, Ortom gave the advice Sunday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Regional Headquater in Makurdi during the thanksgiving service organized by his former appointees to mark his 63rd birthday anniversary.
He expressed concern over Bello’s evasion of the EFCC’s summons, stressing that avoiding scrutiny would only tarnish the reputation of former governors.
“let me use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, former governor Yahaya Bello not to disgrace former governors.
“If you are called to come and account for your stewardship by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, go there.
“You do not need to hide from EFCC, you do not need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and explain. EFCC are human beings who are doing their work.
“If they are making inquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on the phone, I could not, I tried those around him, I could not. I want him to note, wherever he is, if he can hear me from there, he should go before the EFCC.”
Acknowledging the challenges of leadership, Ortom reflected on his own tenure, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing responsibilities while under constant scrutiny and security constraints.
He said, “You live like a prisoner, you are restricted and many people you would want to see, you are unable to see them while those that want to see you will not be able to see you because of the security restriction. And some will hate you thinking it was deliberate.
“I know that it is not everything I did that favoured everyone and it was not everything I did that favoured me also, that is the fact.
“That is why I always encourage everyone of us to pray for leaders, pray for our President, Governors, political office holders and others including the clergy.
“We are all prone to make mistakes as human beings because we are not perfect, prayer is very important.”
Despite the tribulations of governance, the former governor expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon him by his former appointees, hinting at a possible return from his self-imposed seclusion.
