By Chinelo Obogo, Lagos
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday may have withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar over his comments following herdsmen attacks in Benue State.
Ortom accused the PDP candidate of taking sides with Miyetti Allah and also appointing PDP Presidential Campaign Team in Benue without his input, thereby dishonouring him as Governor and working against the interest of Benue residents.
His comments came after a group of elder statesmen in Benue, Minda Leaders of Thoughts, also withdrew their support for Atiku over the alleged profiling of the Benue people.
Ortom appeared to have been upset over Atiku’s comments on the recent killings by suspected herdsmen in Benue state.
He accused the PDP candidate of working with Miyetti Allah, a herdsmen group, against the Benue people.
Reacting to a recent killing in the Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen, Atiku said on his Facebook page that one way of managing diversity is through constitutional reforms and inclusiveness, saying, “When our people are well integrated into communities where they live, work and pay taxes and raise their children, they would be obligated to reciprocate the love and acceptance.”
However, on Tuesday at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, Ortom said, “It was not correct for a presidential candidate who is seeking to rule the people to say that kind of thing.
“It was very wrong and it would appear that he doesn’t even reference me and consider me to be a Governor of my state.”
Ortom also said Mr Atiku had sidelined him in selecting his presidential campaign team.
“I am not in his campaign team. The people they appointed there, no consent from me. So I’ll remain on my own. But I’m waiting; when the election comes, we shall vote in the election according to the election,” he said.