I’m not scared of S’Court verdict –Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday said he was not scared of the imminent verdict of the Supreme Court on the governorship election in his state.
The Supreme Court had on Monday fixed Friday to deliver judgment on the case instituted by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Terhemen Tarzor, against the election of Ortom of the All Progressives Congress.
The governor spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ortom said he was sure that the court verdict would be in his favour having won at the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
He said he enjoyed the mandate of the people of his state and would not be afraid of anything.
“Why will I be scared? Do I look like somebody who is scared? I have nothing to fear because I know the verdict will go my way,” he said.
The governor said he had predicted many years back that he would become the state governor.
He said the people of the state voted massively for him based on the programmes he presented to them.
Ortom added that the election that produced him was free and fair and was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, making his main challenger to congratulate him shortly after he was declared winner.
He therefore wondered what informed the decision of the PDP candidate to later approach the court, seeking the invalidation of his mandate.
Ortom also told reporters that he used the opportunity of his meeting with Buhari to brief the President on the happenings in his state, especially the security situation.
He said he intimated the President of the amnesty programme his administration initiated to mop up illegal arms in possession of youths in the state.
He said Buhari expressed support for the programme.
The governor said he was considering a request by some traditional rulers and elders of the state who had urged him to extend the programme in the interest of peace.