Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Sunday pointedly said that the people of the state are not happy with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for abandoning them during their trying times.
Ortom, who expressed the position of his people when he received the former Vice President and members of his campaign team at the Benue Peoples House, said that the people were not happy that Atiku did not visit them or send relief materials when they came under attacks by Fulani militia.
The Governor noted that this was in spite of the fact that Atiku is a holder of one of the highest chieftaincy titles in the Tiv Traditional Council, the ‘Zege Mule U Tiv,’ which translate to mean “the big shelter of the Tiv nation”.
In the words of Ortom; “Your visit to Benue as the ‘Zege Mule U Tiv’ is long overdue. But it is better late than never. You are in your home and we are happy to receive you but, let me say here that our people were not happy that you didn’t visit when terrorists Fulani groups were attacking and killing the people in Benue”
The Governor however explained that he was not referring to the indigenous Fulani who have been living with the people.
Ortom stressed that terrorists Fulani groups from foreign countries including Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) were still terrorising the state and country without the Federal Government taking action against them.
Speaking on the state of nation, Ortom said that the “barefooted incapability of the All Progressives Congress (APC-led) administration at the centre has led Nigeria to where it is.
The Governor expressed confidence that the success of the PDP at the 2023 elections remains critical above his personal interests, stressing that what the party needs now is to remain united in order to reclaim and salvage the country.
Responding, Atiku said he was unable to visit the state in its trying times because he was out of the country for further studies.
The former Vice President announced a donation of N50 million for the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons in the state.
Atiku said he had issues with the way the entire Fulani race was profiled in the course of the crisis as violent people but quickly added that he reconciled with Ortom for the clarifications he gave.
While answering questions from reporters, Atiku dismissed insinuations that he was silent during the crisis, saying he issued a number of press statements while overseas condemning the invasion.
He commended party leaders in the state for their support to Governor Ortom.
