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By Chinelo Obogo
Indication emerged last night that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, had withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over his comments following herdsmen attacks in Benue State.
Ortom accused Atiku of taking sides with Miyetti Allah and appointing PDP Presidential Campaign Team in Benue without his input, thereby dishonoring 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 support for Atiku over alleged profiling of Benue people.
Ortom appeared to have been upset over Atiku’s comments on the recent killings by suspected herdsmen in the state.
Reacting to a recent killings in 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, yesterday, 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 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.
