By our reporter| Former chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday retracted statements he made in 2018 accusing Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State of murder.
In his retraction, the former Edo State governor said he acted based on information he had which he has now found to be false and baseless.
Oshiomhole had during a media briefing in 2018, said Ortom was involved in the murder of two Catholic priests who were killed alongside 17 parishioners by gunmen who attacked Ayar Mbalon village, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue in April 2018.
The former chairman of the APC had while reacting to the defection of Ortom to the PDP, accused the governor of worsening insecurity in the state and also the murder of the priests.
Ortom subsequently dragged him to court and demanded N10 billion for the libelous statement against him.
Following the move for out-of-court settlement , Oshiomhole finally apologised on Thursday.
He described Ortom as a dear friend and brother with whom he had shared so much in common, including mutual respect.
“I made certain comments about Dr. Ortom based on the information I have since found to be false and baseless, Oshiomhole said.
“Ortom felt embarrassed, defamed, and deeply aggrieved by the comments I made at the said press conference, culminating in litigation.
“That politics aside, Governor Samuel Ortom is a dear friend and brother with whom I have shared so much in common, including mutual respect.
“As former colleagues and one-time members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and most importantly as someone whom I am just a phone call away from, any ridicule, embarrassment, spite, and insult caused Dr. Samuel Ortom is regretted.
“Owing to the relationship we share and in the larger interest of peace, harmony, and brotherliness, I believe a complete retraction of my comments made on 27th July 2018, and which Dr. Samuel Ortom found offensive is proper and necessary.
“In view of all the above, I hereby retract the comments made during the press conference on 27th July 2018, as it relates to Dr. Samuel Ortom.”
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