Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has withdrawn his support for the Presidential candidate of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi on Tuesday, Governor Ortom accused Atiku Abubakar of disregarding him as Governor and working against the interest of Benue residents.
He said the PDP presidential candidate sidelined during formation of his presidential campaign team from Benue State, and therefore will not support Atiku’s presidential election.
“I am not in his campaign team,” Ortom said. “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,” Ortom said
Mr Ortom also alleged that Atiku is working with Miyetti Allah, a herdsmen group with a militant strain.
“It was not correct for a presidential candidate who is seeking to rule the people to say that kind of thing,” Mr Ortom said on Tuesday
“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 withdrawal of support for Atiku came after some elders in Benue under the aegis of Minda Leaders of Thoughts, also withdrew their support for Atiku over alleged hate speech and profiling of Benue people.
While condemning the clashes between Fulani herders and Benue people in Gbeji Community, Ukum LGA, Benue State, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday said people will always reciprocate love and acceptance extended to them by host communities.
“When our people are well integrated into communities where they live, work, pay taxes and raise their children, they'd be obligated to reciprocate the love and acceptance.”