A pressure group, Benue Liberation Front (BLF) on Wednesday called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop its alleged persecution of the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom following his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The group stated that since the governor defected from the APC to the opposition PDP, "the EFCC has been detailed by the ruling APC to run down and frustrate the governor and by extension the people of Benue State."
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Yunum Tyosor, BLF noted that the EFCC, a supposed anti-grant agency was fast losing its moral right to even prosecute alleged corrupt public officials, adding that "it has now become an attack dog of the APC led government and a persecutor of perceived political opponents of the APC-led government.
"The EFCC has lately conducted itself in a very low esteem that makes mockery of its anti corruption fight and indeed cannot absolve itself from the several corruption allegations that have dogged it under Mr. Ibrahim Magu, whom a DSS report has indicted as not fit for the coveted office he occupies, which is why the Senate has declined to conform his nomination as the EFCC chairman.
"Since the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom defected from the APC to the opposition PDP, the EFCC has been detailed by the ruling APC to run down and frustrate the governor and by extension the people of Benue state.
"It is on record that Benue State is the only state where the EFCC is investigating the security vote of the governor, even where security votes are clearly meant to be spent on security matters in the state.
" Even a kindergarten is aware of the numerous security challenges that Benue State has faced lately and one wonders if the EFCC expected the governor to keep security funds idle rather than spend for the benefits of peace and security.
"We are tempted to ask if the governor of Benue state has lost his immunity just because he defected from APC to the PDP.
"All the various security formations in the state can testify to the support, financially and otherwise that has been extended to them by Governor Ortom as they battle insecurity in the state.
"It is unconscionable that the EFCC will attempt to freeze the accounts of the state government and cripple governance in the state and throw the citizens of the state into misery and hardships.
"We join other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn in strong terms this attack dog role of the EFCC as it offends our democracy and global best practice," BLF said.
The group called on the acting President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo to immediately sack the acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, describing him as a danger to democracy.
"Mr. Magu has also clearly taken sides, compromised his office in the discharge of his duty, which is against the oat he took, except of course, he is takinv orders from the presidency to torment Gov Ortom for daring to defect from APC," the statement said.
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