It is common knowledge that following the passing of Hon Jerome Tor Shimbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, his predecessor, Titus Zam, took to social media to disparage him and Governor Samuel Ortom. Zam mocked the absence of a proper access road to the late adviser’s residence during the funeral.
During the burial ceremony of Elder Tor Shimbe, Governor Ortom chose to address Zam’s insensitive remarks. The Governor’s response is as follows:
“Those who were dancing on the grave of Tor Shimbe, like my former Special Adviser, Titus Zam; he is not here but somebody should send this message to him. He found time to mock me and to mock his senior brother (Tor Shimbe), who was his mentor, teacher, and someone who contributed immensely to the making of Gwer West Local Government Area.
“I remember we were colleagues between 1991 and 1993 and when it became obvious that Gwer West was going to be split from (old) Gwer and the condition was that those who were chairmen would lose their seats, Shimbe raised his hand that for the sake of his people, he will concede his seat.
Tell him (Zam) that today is Shimbe’s turn. Tomorrow, it can be me or any other person.-Ortom
“I appreciate the people of Tyoshin who overwhelmingly returned him as the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government. It was Shimbe’s goodwill that made it possible for Titus Zam to become Chairman of this local government. And so to mock him, our people say no matter how bad one is, he or she is appreciated in death. When you die, no matter how bad you are, you are appreciated because that is the ultimate.
“So tell him (Zam) that today is Shimbe’s turn. Tomorrow, it can be me or any other person. But I pray that God will forgive him in Jesus name. Amen.”
