Attempt on Ortom’s life, invitation to anarchy – PDP govs

GOVERNORS elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party have charged the Federal Government to live up to its primary constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens irrespective of their social standing or affiliations in the society.

Condemning the attack on one of its members, Governor Samuel Ortom, two days ago by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, the governors described the attempted assassination as an invitation to anarchy.

In a statement titled, ‘Attempt on Governor Ortom, an invitation to anarchy: Enough is enough’, signed by the PDPGF Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, the forum said it received news of the attempt with shock.

“We wish therefore to warn that any attempt to harm any Nigerian will be viewed by the Forum as an attempt on all of us,” said the Governor’s forum.

It added, “We believe strongly that any dispute or perceived dispute should be and must be resolved amicably without resorting to violence.

“Nigeria is not a Babana Republic, even though certain retrogressive elements and centrifugal forces are trying to consign Nigeria into a failed state.

“It remains the primary responsibility of the government, especially the Federal Government, who has a monopoly of the coercive forces of state, to secure the lives and livelihoods of our people, however low or high. Every Nigerian deserves equal protection of the laws.

“Every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and free exercise of all rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, subject only to law. Nigeria is still a democracy and a nation of laws and not men.”