Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue state has threatened to lead a public demonstration against the plan to have the National Water Resources bill imposed on Nigerians, despite its rejection by the majority of the people.
The Governor who described the bill as ‘evil’ urged the Federal government to address Nigerians on why it was strictly bent on forcing an unpopular legislation on innocent Nigerians after being sternly rejected by the majority, as force should not be asserted on people in a democratic setting.
The Governor who spoke at a press conference in Makurdi, on the issue of the ongoing #EndSARS protests raging in the country, implored members of the National Assembly, to throw out the bill in line with the wishes and aspirations of majority of Nigerians.
The Governor in his statement said, ‘just like it failed the first time and the second time, the bill will still fail the third time. That is an evil bill.’
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He further said, ‘Why must you impose a law on people who are saying no to it, in a democratic setup, what is their interest? That is the suspicion and this is what we are saying. And if care is not taking I will also lead a march tagged End Water Bill.’
‘What is the point wanting to foist your desire on the people. And like a said before, because we have seen a lot of insincerity in the handling of the herdsmen matter, so our suspicion is that this Water Bill thing is another Ruga in disguise, it is open grazing in another form. It is also another cattle colony to give them control.’
‘Otherwise we know that the issue of land is with the State Governors, so why must you bring a law that will give you control over land in the states. Of course the people are saying no to it.’
The Governor described the ongoing #EndSARS protests in the country as a result of failure on the part of the Nigerian leaders in addressing the challenges facing the nation. He noted that had it left the youths in misery.
According to him, ‘the protests have challenged us as leaders of this country to rise and demonstrate sincerity in tackling the problems of Nigeria. The protesting youths are asking salient questions that deserve only honest answers backed by the commitment on the part of the leadership of this country.’