by Azeez Adeniyi

Benue governor, Samuel Ortom has said President Muhammadu Buhari is the perfect person to lead the country.

In an interview with Punch, Ortom said Buhari ‘remains the medicine for Nigeria’.

He said it was unfortunate that his health was slowing him down, while urging Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery.

He said, “It is unfortunate. Buhari remains the medicine for Nigeria. He is a selfless man, a disciplined man, a patriotic Nigerian, who fought for the unity of this country. Despite his age, he is willing to add value to the development of this country, at least by trying to instill discipline and wipe away corruption in Nigeria. Everybody will agree that before his inauguration, we all agreed that our problem in Nigeria is corruption. Nobody was bold enough to stand up to fight it the way he is doing it. So, he is the correct person for this job.

“Whatever is happening to him, my advice to Nigerians is what the bible says in Romans 13. The advice is that we should pray for our leaders. Let us continue to pray for him. The doctors can treat but it is God that heals.

“For us in Benue State, we have declared a three-day prayer and fasting for him. We have declared it to pray for the quick recovery of Mr. President so that he will come back and continue to do his good work. We need him in this country to give us the inspiration to go back to our glory; we have no business begging in Nigeria. God has given us so much. The only problem is indiscipline, corruption and the impunity that has been going on. With what Mr. President is doing for Nigeria, I think we will get to the right path. Let us continue to pray for him that God heal him and bring him back to us.”

The governor also said he has refused to join issues with Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike because he is a Christian.

Ortom said, “I went to campaign in Rivers State with other governors because I was nominated by my party. That was where the insults started but you see, as a Christian, I don’t want to join issues with Wike. I have allowed the matter to rest. I have even told my aides not to even join issues with him; there is no point talking about Wike.

“I have no issues with him. We were ministers of state in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. I think everything is centred on politics. You hear his party saying that (I campaigned against Wike) because of the way the PDP treated me.

“Though I was the best candidate for the PDP in the 2015 governorship election in Benue State, they treated me in a manner that was not befitting of a gentleman and I left. Till today, they are still dreaming that Ortom is governor. So, this is purely politics. I have displaced PDP in Benue State and they have found an ally in Rivers State.”