Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba has called on leaders of Benue State not to give room for external forces to oppress them.

He made call on Saturday night at a Cocktail hosted for the old students association of Idah Secondary Commercial College, ISCCOSA at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi the Benue State capital.

The association was in Benue to felicitate with Governor Samuel Ortom who is also an old student of the school.

While pleading with the people of the state not to abandon the state Governor Samuel Ortom, the former deputy governor warned that “once the leaders are bought over, oppression will continue. But may you not yield to that temptation against your people,” he stated.

He noted that “When they want to destroy a community, they don’t bring people from outside. They will look for vulnerable individuals from within to destroy you. But don’t allow yourselves to be used to destroy your home”, the former deputy governor warned.

Earlier, President of the association, Mr Tijani Okolo in his opening remarks said they were proud of Governor Ortom for rising through nothing to become a successful entrepreneur, Christian and politician.

Mr Okolo stated that they were in Benue to encourage the Governor who is also an old student of the college, saying they took time to traverse the state and were delighted to see the level of development of the Ortom administration.

He said the association will always stand with the Governor as he continues to fight for the emancipation of the Nigerian people.

On the successes recorded by the association, Mr Okolo expressed happiness that with the help from Governor Ortom, the association has been able to repair dilapidated structures, carry out erosion control projects, built a computer centre and pay school fees for students in entry classes.

Governor Samuel Ortom expressed appreciation to the members for encouraging him, stressing that their coming was also memorable as it gave him the opportunity to meet with some of them who he has not seen in the last forty years.