Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has unequivocally and unapologetically told the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar not to expect his support for the actualization of his aspiration in 2023.
The governor hinged his decision on the continued killing and maiming of Benue people at the hands of fulani herdsmen.
Ortom made the statement on Sunday night when he hosted the party’s G-5 Governors comprising Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) in Government House, Makurdi.
It could said that Ortom’s fury was ignited by the gruesome murder of 18 people in his local government, last week.
In his words: “To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be a 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 whatever 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 a 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 theere is another person who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him.”
