Tiv Area Traditional Council has reaffirmed its support for the enforcement of the ban on open grazing of cattle.
The traditional council in a unanimous voice vote in a meeting at the Ate U Tiv in Gboko, chaired by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, promised not to abandon Governor Ortom in the implementation of the ranching policy.
Governor Ortom while addressing the meeting between the Tor Tiv and all graded traditional rulers as well as district heads and local government council chairmen in Tiv land, appreciated their support for his administration and promised never to let them down.
He charged the traditional rulers not to be weighed down by the current security and economic challenges in their domains, expressing the hope that Benue in particular and Nigeria at large would come out stronger.
While tasking council chairmen to always work in synergy with traditional rulers for peace and development in their areas, Governor Ortom said the ranching law which faced objection from several quarters from inception has become a pacesetter in the country.
The Governor stated that those who know and love God would always face persecution but in the end, God blesses and sees them through.
Meanwhile, governor Samuel Orton, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume and senator representing Benue north east, Gabriel Suswam went into a close door session at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi over persistent attacks on communities by suspected herdsmen resulting to deaths and distinction of properties.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, governor Ortom said he met with two former governors of the state so as to found a common ground on what is befallen the state in recent times, noting that the meeting was fruitful.
According to him, Benue interest is above political affiliation hence their meeting to cross fertilize ideas on the way forward, calling on Benue people to remain resolute in support his administration to find solution.
In their separate remarks, Senators Gabriel Suswam and George Akume all pledged to speak out and use their connections to ensure that peace retire to the state for development to thrive.