Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom
Eko Hot Blog reports that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has thrown more digs at the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, saying anyone supporting him is “an enemy.”
Recall that Ortom recently tackled Atiku who accused him of profiling the Fulani people living in Benue as bandits and terrorists.
“I had a big quarrel with Governor Ortom on his accusation of Fulani people. I am a Fulani man. Why should you categorise all Fulani? I am angry with Samuel Ortom for profiling Fulani as bandits and terrorists,” the PDP presidential candidate had said at a political rally in Kaduna.
In his response, the Benue governor demanded an apology from Atiku, saying he only accused migrant Fulanis from Niger, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Libya, and Chad as perpetrators of attacks in Benue.
PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar
Speaking on Sunday when he hosted his counterparts from Rivers, Oyo, Abia and Enugu States to a dinner party at the government house, Makurdi, Ortom further attacked Atiku.
The Benue governor, who lamented the killing of 18 persons in his council area last Friday, said he could not stand by and watch while his people are being killed.
He noted that anyone supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue State.
Ortom, who said his stance is to stand up for his people, vowed not to keep quiet.
“To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be slave for a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue,” he said.
“My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. My tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night. If I die at 62, many of my mates have gone long time ago and If I die today, I’m a fulfilled person but let it be recorded that I died resisting the invasion and killing of my people.
“I will never support a Fulani man to become president. If there is another person who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him.”
Ortom, alongside Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has been a major player in the crisis rocking the PDP.
They have been calling for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
The governors and their allies argue that it’s not fair that the PDP has a northerner leading the party and another northerner as its presidential candidate.
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