Obi rebukes Benue Labour Party governorship candidate, Herman Hembe for describing Ortom as deceit

Obi said: “Specifically, during our recent campaign in Benue, a candidate referred to the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, as a “deceit.” That is totally unacceptable to us.”

By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor 

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has asked his supporters to desist from name calling or making derogatory remarks against opponents. 

In a series of tweet on Friday, Obi recalled that a Labour Party candidate at the campaign rally of the party in Benue referred to Governor Samuel Ortom as a deceit. Obi and Ortom’s relationship have been chubby of late.

Herman Hembe who is the governorship flagbearer of the Labour Party in Benue State had said during the rally: “Our biggest problem in Benue is insecurity. We will work to make sure that it does not continue. We have to end these killings. Vote Labour Party to kick out deceit in Benue.”

Also at the event, Nollywood actor and one of the spokespersons for the Obi/Datti campaign organisation, Kenneth Okonkwo, also said: “Here in Benue that is the food basket, we have evil leaders. We say no to it. We cannot come by road, sea or railway because they are not functional.”

But Obi, in a series of tweet, warned his supporters against name calling against anyone, groups or religions. 

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He said: “I called on the Labour Party Faithfuls, especially candidates at all levels, including my supporters, to desist from name calling or derogating anyone, groups of persons or religions.

“Nigeria has very huge problems and is currently at risk of implosion from economic hardship and insecurity. The focus, therefore, should be on how to deal with deleterious consequences of a tanking economy, pervasive insecurity and the many challenges that the nation is contending with, rather than degenerating into name calling. 

“Specifically, during our recent campaign in Benue, a candidate referred to the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, as a “deceit.” That is totally unacceptable to us.

“The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, remain a very patriotic Nigerian, who has always spoken for the best interest of his people and Nigeria in general. We all have our shortcomings, I have mine, and so do others. But, we should not refer to people in such derogatory manner.

“We must continue to focus on running an issue-based campaign, and unite with everyone to build a new and better Nigeria. I wish all our candidates, including myself, well in the forthcoming elections. -PO.”