Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed concern over the recent arrest of Dr Cletus Tyokia, Director General of the Benue State Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Organisation, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Dr Tyokia was reportedly arrested for allegedly having N100,000.
Governor Ortom made his position on the matter known shortly after casting his vote at the Tse Ortom Polling Unit 016 in Nzorov Council Ward. The polling unit had been relocated to the Government Science and Technical College Gbajimba following an attack by armed herdsmen on the community.
The Governor stated, “I received reports that the Director General of our campaign was arrested purportedly by the EFCC for having N100,000 on him. He was searched, what is the meaning of that? Are they agents of destruction, are they agents of destabilisation of the electoral process or what? Are you telling me that I should not have money for my upkeep or what? N100,000, it is a shame.”
He went on to advise the EFCC to release Dr Tyokia immediately, stating that he had not committed any offence. Governor Ortom stressed that it was wrong for the EFCC to arrest Dr Tyokia for simply having money on him, as he was not buying votes.
He added, “If they are paid agents of any particular political party to destabilise us on this election day that we have all prepared for, for over one year it is not correct. Whoever is the head of the EFCC Command in the state should know that what he has done is not correct.”