‘Now I Know Why Trump Called Nigeria A Shithole Country’ – Ortom

- Urges Buhari To Protect The Democracy That Made Him President

Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has justified alleged claims by President of the United States, Donald Trump that there are “shithole countries” in Africa.

Recall that it was widely reported by the social media, that the U.S president claimed that there are shithole countries in Africa.

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Trump has however denied such reports, stating that he never made such controversial comment.

But in a fresh reaction to the impeachment notice served on him by lawmakers of the state House of Assembly, Governor Ortom, accused the Inspector General of Police and the DG of DSS of perpetrating such “impunity and ignominy” in the state.

According to the governor, the notice was served him because of his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said “It is only in a shithole country that you can do this kind of thing.”

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While accusing George Akume, a serving senator in the state, of being behind the political crisis in Benue, Ortom appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call trio to order.

He said, Today, I’ve realised why Donald Trump called Nigeria or Africa a shithole. I want to believe that Mr President is not aware of what is taking place in Benue state because as president who swore to uphold the rule of law and due process, and who is referred to as a man of integrity, a man of honour and who respects the constitution of our land, I’m sure he is not aware of the impunity and ignominy that is being perpetrated by the inspector general of police and the DG of DSS.

“For me, I will continue to do my duty at all times. The action of the agents actively supported by the police and DSS, the actions of the eight members of the house of assembly against 22 who are legitimately doing their jobs has demonstrated the highest level of hooliganism and ignominy.

“The police detachment from Abuja acting on the directives of Senator George Akume and the IGP and DSS, forcibly occupying the assembly in flagrant disobedience of court order to vacate the premises.

“The police barred and stopped the 22 members of the Benue state house of assembly from entering the assembly premises to conduct their legitimate duties and manhandled citizens who were going to watch the proceedings. They teargassed many and took them away.

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“The same police provided heavy security escorts to the eight members who came to perpetrate the impunity, and led them away to their destination. Eight members seem to have suspended 22 members. It is only in a shithole country that you can do this kind of thing.”

He said Terkimbi Ikyange, impeached speaker, paraded himself in flagrant disobedience to the court order that he should not do so until the matter is heard.

“The same members claim to have illegally moved a motion to serve an impeachment notice on me. Eight members cannot be two/third of 30 members of the assembly. An impeachment notice that I’ve not seen anyway, but that is what I heard,” he said.

“I want to believe in the rule of law and will deploy legal process to tackle this form of challenge. We are not going into any kind of illegality and that is what democracy is all about. We will continue to protect the democracy that we have in this country.

“I call on patriotic Nigerians to rise and resist this impunity. What is my offence? Have I not got the right to decide to associate with any political association of my choice? Is it the first time we are doing that? Even in America, defection is not a crime, so I want to call on Mr President to protect this democracy that made him president.

“This form of impunity will only derail the democratic process that we have. Mr President should not allow this. The IGP should not be allowed to be used by Senator Akume to perpetrate evil.

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“So, if Akume is recruited to destabilise to bring people to destabilise this government, he should be called to order.

“Now I know why Trump called Nigeria a shithole country. It’s only in a shithole country that eight house of assembly members can suspend 22 lawmakers.”

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