Ameachi Should leave Ortom out of his failed campaign script
By Prince Tyodoo Livinus
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, while addressing a gathering in Abuja, chose to recycle a distorted account of an incident involving the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, in a bid to score cheap political points.
Amaechi narrated a story alleging that a Catholic priest in Benue State confronted Governor Samuel Ortom during a church service and stopped him from speaking. What he failed to tell his audience was the truth.
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The incident in question occurred in December 2017 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Parish, Wannune, during a thanksgiving Mass marking the birthday of the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
It had absolutely nothing to do with dishonesty or misconduct, contrary to Amaechi’s mischievous insinuations.
The officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Titus Ashwe was merely enforcing diocesan guidelines which prohibit political speeches during Mass, as directed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, His Lordship, William Avenya,
Governor Ortom, known for his respect for institutions and the rule of law, immediately complied with the church directive. He did not protest. He did not argue. He did not create a scene. Instead, he publicly affirmed his respect for the Church and clarified that there was no disagreement whatsoever between him and the Gboko Catholic Diocese.
It is therefore unfortunate that Rotimi Amaechi has chosen to twist a straightforward enforcement of church protocol into a false narrative for political advantage.
Rather than peddling half-truths, Nigerians would have expected Amaechi to use that platform in Abuja to account for his own stewardship.
He had the privilege of serving for eight years as Governor of Rivers State and eight years as Minister of Transportation under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Nigerians deserve answers regarding the management of public resources during that period, including questions surrounding the N96 billion belonging to the Rivers State Government currently under probe, and the controversial $2 billion rail project linking Nigeria to the Niger Republic.
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The next time Rotimi Amaechi addresses Nigerians, he should focus less on manufacturing controversies about other leaders and more on explaining the tangible impact of the numerous public offices he has occupied since 1999.
Public discourse must be anchored on truth, not political mischief.
