Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has retracted his comment on Governor Samuel Ortom, on 27th July 2018.
The retraction has been published in most national newspapers today, 18th March 2021.
These include The Nation, full-page, on page 29, Thisday and Vanguard, half pages on 41 and 7 respectively.
Below is the retraction:
RETRACTION OF PUBLICATION
On the 27th day of July 2018 at the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and particularly in my capacity then as the Chairman of the Party, I addressed different national issues as well as some events which occurred in Benue State, including the movement earlier that day of his Excellency, Dr Samuel Ortom (Executive Governor of Benue State) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party.
In the course of the press conference, I made certain comments about Dr Ortom based on the information I have since found to be false and baseless.
His Excellency Dr Samuel 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.
That 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 by 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.
Given all the above, I hereby retract the comments made during the press conference on 27th July 2018, as it relates to Dr Samuel Ortom.
Signed:
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.