"Ortom Impeachment!! Now I Know Why Trump Called Us Shithole Country" – Ortom Speaks

“Now I know why Trump called Nigeria a shithole country. It’s only in a shithole country that eight House of Assembly members can suspend 22 lawmakers”.

Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State, says the institution of impeachment proceedings against him by eight members of the state assembly would have been impossible were Nigeria not a shithole country.

Eight members of the Benue State Assembly served Ortom with impeachment notice on Monday, citing abuse of office and mismanagement of funds.

Reacting to the move, Ortom said he had cow come to understand why US President Donald Trump said there are “shithole countries” in Africa.

Ortom blamed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Director-General of the Department of State Services plotting to unseat him, saying he was being targeted for defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also accused George Akume, a current senator and former Governor of the state, of working behind the scenes to destabilise his government.

“Today, I’ve realised why Donald Trump called Nigeria or Africa a shithole. I want to believe that Mr. President is not aware of what is taking place in Benue State because as President who swore to uphold the rule of law and due process, and who is referred to as a man of integrity, a man of honour and who respects the constitution of our land, I’m sure he is not aware of the impunity and ignominy that is being perpetrated by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the DG of DSS,” he said.

“For me, I will continue to do my duty at all times. The action of the agents actively supported by the Police and DSS, the actions of the eight members of the House of Assembly against 22 who are legitimately doing their jobs has demonstrated the highest level of hooliganism and ignominy.

“The police detachment from Abuja is acting on the directives of Senator George Akume and the IGP and DSS, forcibly occupying the assembly in flagrant disobedience of court order to vacate the premises.

“The Police barred and stopped the 22 members of the Benue State House of Assembly from entering the assembly premises to conduct their legitimate duties and manhandled citizens who were going to watch the proceedings. They teargassed many and took them away.

“The same Police provided heavy security escorts to the eight members who came to perpetrate the impunity, and led them away to their destination. Eight members seem to have suspended 22 members. It is only in a shithole country that you can do this kind of thing.”