From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Nigerian youths under the aegis of the Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, (COSMBYLA) has descended on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over his utterance, questioning the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on the killings by herdsmen in his State.

Atiku According to the group in his recent comment while addressing some Arewa group in Kaduna had blamed Ortom for profiling Fulani herdsmen as masterminds of the killings in his State.

A statement signed by the leaders of the youth group, Goodluck Ibem,President General of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders(COSEYL) and President of COSYMBLA,Shitu Waheed, Coordinator,South West Youth Forum(SWYF),Terrence Kuanum,Coordinator,Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents(FMYP) and Tito Zokumor,Pressident South South Youth Forum(SSYF), expressed disappointment that Atiku could be blaming Ortom for the situation, despite his predicament since he came into office.

The youths recalled that in the last few days, more than 50 innocent people have allegedly been killed by armed herdsmen in Gbeji community of Ukum local government area of Benue State with many others injured and hundreds displaced from their ancestral homes.

While disagreeing with Atiku on his claims, the youths stated “Yet, Alhaji Atiku is more concerned about frivolities and blaming Governor Samuel Ortom that the Governor is profiling Fulani. What does he expect a Governor who has not known peace since he took over government in 2015 to do when Fulani killers have come out repeatedly to take responsibility for the attacks on Benue State?

“We want to ask Atiku what he would have done if given the gory circumstances that Governor Ortom has found himself in, having to bury hundreds of his people every year after they are hacked down by marauding Fulani herders. Is profiling more important than the lives of Nigerians?

“Atiku has furtively declared support for the Fulani Jihadists and terrorists parading as herdsmen who have made it a duty to be killing indigenous Nigerians on daily basis in Benue State, Ondo state, South East states and other parts of the country.

“It is very unfortunate that a former Vice President of the country who should be a statesman and nationalistic in his statements, conduct and approach will condescend so low to promote tribal and ethnic sentiments.

” It is surprising that Atiku’s reason of being angry with Governor Ortom which he openly confessed is because the Governor has doggedly stood in defense of his people and has repeatedly spoken against the killings of his people by Fulani terrorists and Jihadists.

“Ortom’s strong and fierce defense in ensuring that his people are not wiped out of the face of the earth by Fulani terrorists finally confirmed that the man who is privileged to be the holder of the title “Zege Mule u Tiv” is not really the shade under which the Tiv people can seek refuge”.

“We condemn Atiku’s comments against the Benue State Governor and demand that he publicly apologizes to Governor Ortom, Benue people and all other Nigerians for his insensitivity and selfishness.

“While we await Atiku’s apology, we call on the Executive Governor of Benue State to remain firm in ensuring that Benue people are protected from attacks by Fulani terrorists and Jihadists. He should not be discouraged by the unfortunate and reckless statements of Atiku.

“In 2023, we the voters in this country will speak to all the presidential candidates in the language they will understand, depending on what each of them represents.” The statement concludes.