Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, lambasted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his recent remarks at a presidential interactive session in Kaduna.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate reportedly expressed his rage at the Governor for labeling Fulani as terrorists and bandits despite the fact that he too is a Fulani.
In response to Atiku’s statement, the politician from Benue State claimed he would rather die than serve the Fulani as a slave.
In his remarks, Mr. Ortom declared that the massacre of Benue citizens is the reason he will not be endorsing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate.
This was said by Governor Ortom on Sunday, November 6, as Nyesom Wike of the Rivers state, Okezie Ikpeazu of the Abia state, Seyi Makinde of the Oyo state, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Enugu state were guests at Government House in Makurdi.
The governors convened in Makurdi, the nation’s food basket, prior to the launch of the PDP’s general election campaigns in 2023 and the commissioning of some of Governor Ortom’s projects.
Ortom, who bemoaned the 18 persons who were killed in his local government last week, can be heard saying the following in a now-viral video:
- “To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be slave for a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue.
- “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet.
- “My tenure ends in may and you can do what ever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night.
- “If I die at 62, many of my mates have gone long time ago and If I die today, I’m a fulfilled person but let it be recorded that I died resisting the invasion and killing of my people.
- “I will never support a Fulani man to become president. If there is another person who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him,” Ortom said.
Watch the video below.
