Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has decried the action of the Nigerian Air Force which stopped him from receiving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The Air Force security operatives on Saturday prevnted the governor from gaining access to the Air Force Base on his way to receive the vice president.
Osinbajo was on his way to Wukari, Taraba State en route to Benue Stae to attend the convocation of the Federal University, Wukari.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House Makurdi, Ortom described the action of the security operatives as unacceptable, a breach of protocol, and politics taken too far.
The Governor said, “How can I go to the Air Force base and I am bounced back, in my State? It’s politics taken too far and somebody must account for it.
“I feel so sad that there are certain things you don’t play politics with and I must continue to talk about this injustice.”
The governor expressed regrets that he had set out to attend the burial of Professor Ignatius Ayua but had to delegate his Deputy to receive the Vice President after a communication from the Presidency on the Vice President’s transit visit.
The presidency letter addressed to the Governor was dated 10th February 2022 with reference VP/SP/DOP/26 and titled: “Visit of His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Wukari, Taraba State transiting NAF Base, Makurdi, on Saturday, 12th February 2022”
Signed by Ambassador Abdullahi Qwary, the letter stated that the Vice President would return through the same route in the afternoon.
Ortom objected to such a demeaning treatment by the Air Force personnel in the State where he is the Chief Security Officer.