Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to come out of hiding and surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ortom said this during the thanksgiving service organised by his aides to mark his 63rd birthday anniversary at the Redeemed Church in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

The former governor urged Bello to come out and defend his administration, adding that his continuous hiding would bring disgrace to former governors across the country.

He also enjoined his former appointees to always come forward and give account of their stewardship when called upon saying that they could only run when they had something to hide.

Ortom said: “I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors. You don’t need to hide, you don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond.

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“EFCC are human beings. If they are making enquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on phone, I could not; I have tried those around him, I could not so I want this to be noted.

“So wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press are here, he should come out.”

The former governor appreciated the people of Benue State for their support throughout his eight-year tenure and for celebrating him on his birthday.

He said being at the top for eight years was not an easy task and called on the people to always pray for their leaders.

Ortom also urged Benue youths to stop insulting elders on social media and take advantage of the internet to add value to their lives and bring development to the state.

He added: “Do not insult the leaders or elders on social media. We all must be part of the process to bring peace so that progress, prosperity and development will come.

“The youth must take advantage of the social media to bring development to themselves and to the state.

“The whole world is in your palm, in your tablets and in your phone. Look at the essence of the internet.

“Now that you cannot go to the farms, go to the website and see what people are doing in other parts of the world and to add value and bring wealth to yourselves.”

The Star