ORTOM,BENUE LEADERS WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR ATIKU OVER HATE SPEECH
BY DAMILOLA LAWRENCE
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and some elderstatemen in the state, Minda Leaders of Thoughts, have withdrawn their support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar over alleged hate speech and profiling of Benue people.
Ortom accused the PDP candidate of dishonoring him as Governor and working against the interest of Benue residents.
He seemed to have been angered by Atiku’s comments on the recent killings by suspected herdsmen in his state.
Recall that Atiku appeared to have justified the recent killings in Benue State by Fulani herders when he said that the condemnable acts were due to “sustained clashes between farmers and herders.”
His comments are coming on the heels of the elder statesmen in Benue, Minda Leaders of Thoughts’, withdrawal of support for Atiku, accusing him of hate speech and profiling of Benue people.
The governor allegedly claimed Atiku is working with Miyetti Allah.
Speaking 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 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 the election according to the election” He said.
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