The governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has announced that Nigerian leaders, including him, have failed the youth.
The governor spoke during the International Youth celebration held at new banquet hall, Makurdi, capital of Benue.
Ortom posited that leaders need to ask God for forgiveness for failing to carry out their responsibilities.
He described the fight against corruption as “selective”, saying there are some politicians considered as “sacred cows” despite stealing billions of naira while others are made to take the fall.
The governor urged the youth not to take after them, adding that they need to do better than the leaders.
“Let me say here that the leaders in this country have failed, me inclusive. It Is a big shame to us leaders, we must ask for forgiveness from God,” Ortom said.
“And I implore you that you shouldn’t take after us. Greed is a big challenge. The path we are toying is the wrong one for us. There is a challenge.
“The rule of law is selective, there are sacred cows that cannot be touched, even if they do bad things, they cannot be touched.
“People steal billions and they are allowed to go scot-free while those who steal chickens are jailed.”
Ortom also advised the youth against insulting their leaders on social media, saying “nobody will pay you for insulting people on Facebook but you can take the advantage which social media has provided and create wealth instead of insult.”
Ortom was elected in 2015 on the platform of the APC. In 2018 however, he abandoned the party and returned to the PDP where he contested and won the 2019 guber election for a second term in office.
