BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Saturday cried out in condemnation of personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who blocked him from entering the Makurdi Airport to receive Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was transiting through Makurdi to Wukari, Taraba State. The Vice President was on his way to attend the convocation of the Federal University, Wukari.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Nathaniel Ikyur, confirmed the incident, but said they were not sure the issues the Air Force personnel have before preventing the governor from accessing the airport.
“His Excellency has spoken to the Vice President and the Air Officer commanding the Tactical Air Command here in Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal Adole, has called him and apologised, so we are back here to welcome the Vice President back from Wukari,” Hon Ikyur said.
Someone must account for what happened – Ortom
A livid Governor Ortom had while speaking with journalists at the Government House after the incident, vowed to officially report the matter to the Vice President, insisting that someone must account for what happened at the airport.
“It is unfortunate that an ugly incident occurred today, which is a breach of protocol and I feel so sad for our country Nigeria, where everything has been reduced to politics. There are certain things you don’t politicise.
“I was to attend the burial ceremony of one of our elders and leader, Prof Ignatius Ayua; I’d made all arrangements to travel to Konshisha local government area (LGA), then this letter was brought to me that the Vice President is going to be on transit through Makurdi to Wukari.
“I decided to mandate the Deputy Governor [Engr. Benson Abounu] to represent me at the burial of Prof Ayua. So, this morning I got prepared and went to the Air Force Base, where the Vice President is supposed to land, en route Wukari and unfortunately, I was bounced at the gate; in my own state.
“It is a normal thing, when a distinguished dignitary like the President or the Vice President is passing through your state, that the state governor receives him. It doesn’t happen; this is a breach of protocol, and this is not acceptable! This is politics taken too far! This is not correct and somebody must account for this!
“If a personality like the Vice President is visiting my state and I cannot go there to welcome him, then it will be a breach of protocol on my part. How can I go to the Air Force Base and I am bounced at the gate? I mean this has never happened, anywhere in this country!
“How can you bounce a governor in a state where you are? What is the meaning of that? I feel so pained and I’m going to report this to the Vice President. Well if they choose to do something, fine, if they don’t, it’s okay. But that is the kind of thing they want; they want us to remain as a banana republic! It’s really unfortunate. I feel very sorry. And those who are keeping quiet, I tell them, one day, they will not be where they are. We must come out together and condemn the evil that is happening in our country. This is not right,” the governor queried.
According to Ortom, it was impossible that “the same Presidency that wrote to me is not aware” of what transpired.
“I think we should, if we must make progress, differentiate between politics and government activities. It is government activity that I welcome Mr President or Vice-President; that I welcome any dignitary that comes here from the federal government.”
The governor said the letter from the State House Abuja communicating the Vice President’s trip to Wukari through Makurdi and addressed to him was dated 10th February, 2022 with reference VP/SP/DOP/26 and signed by Ambassador Abdullahi Gwary.
The letter entitled; “Visit of His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to Wukari, Taraba State transiting NAF Base, Makurdi, on Saturday, 12th February, 2022” also noted that the Vice President would return through the same route in the afternoon of the same day.
It ‘was a minor incident’ – Air Force Headquarters
Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, when contacted by National Record Saturday evening said it was a ‘ very minor incident’ but refused to say what was the personnel’s grouse.
“It was a very minor incident between the personnel and the governor’s staff, which I think has been resolved. As I am speaking to you, the governor is at the Base now awaiting the arrival of the Vice President from Wukari; so everything has been resolved.
“I am sure the spokespersons to the governor may soon make a statement to that effect. It was just a minor issue and I think it is been resolved.”
When asked the incident that led to the blocking the governor who is the chief security officer of the state, Air Commodore Gabkwet said: “I have told you it was just a minor, very, very minor misunderstanding and which I know you members of the press would want to enjoy in misleading Nigerians; you will want to enjoy giving the impression that it is problem between the Air Force and the Benue State government.
“There is nothing, nothing; it is just a minor incident and it’s been resolved and, you know, everything is okay now. We are still in touch with the government and the people of Benue State; I mean it is off, everything has been resolved. He [Ortom] is at the Air Force Base as I speak to you right now, with our personnel.
“If he still feels there was an issue, I don’t think he would want to have gone back to the same Air Force Base. So these things happen sometimes, it is not as if it is planned or anything. We have a very, very strong relationship with the government and people of Benue State, which predates recent times; we have a very, very long history.
“The governor has been very supportive of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi, so there is no problem; our relationship remains very in tacked. He still has a very, very friendly relationship with the Chief of Air Staff who had served in Makurdi as the Air Officer Commanding and they have even spoken and we all have come to the understanding that it is not the way the press is thinking. So, nothing has changed, unfortunately for you.”
