Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue State, has restated his position that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is still a persecution tool of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Mr Ortom stated this in reactions to allegation by a former governor of the state, George Akume, that the governor has looted the treasury of the state to enrich himself.
The duo have been at loggerheads even before the governor left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he is seeking re-election.
Mr Akume, a serving Senator was reported by Punch Newspaper, to have alleged that the governor was now richer than President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC.
Addressing party supporters at the presidential rally of Mr Buhari on Wednesday, the lawmaker said Ortom armed livestock guards who now terrorise residents of the state.
The guards were put in place to checkmate the menace of killer herdsmen who wrecked havoc on the state at any given opportunity.
Speaking to newsmen on the allegation, Ortom pushed back the claim that he enriched himself alleging that the former governor stole N2billion at the time the lawmaker held sway as governor of the state.
Ortom said Akume ought to be in jail for his alleged act while in office but because the EFCC is a persecution tool of the APC the lawmaker is seen walking around freely.
“Akume was a governor for eight years and he stole N2bn before he left office; up till now, the case is with the EFCC but because he is in the APC, nothing is happening of the case,” the governor said.
“That’s the reason why I said the EFCC was a tool of the APC if not, Akume is supposed to be in jail now,” Ortom added.
Mr Ortom also dismissed the allegation by the senator that he armed livestock guards.
The governor is not the only one tagging the EFCC as a persecution tool. Other critics of the government have restated similar claim.
The anti-graft agency and the president are said to be shielding their alleged allies and cronies from prosecution. This is not surprising given the fact that the APC had promised to pardon treasury looters who join their fold.
