Ortom tells Atiku to go to hell adding that he can never support a Fulani man to become president

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has told former vice president Alhaji Abubakar Atiku to go hell for attacking him over his refusal to back him as the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential candidate in next year's elections.

In late June, the PDP elected Alhaji Abubakar as its flagbearer for next year's presidential election at its annual convention. Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State was a candidate in that election but he was beaten into second place and to make matters worse for him, he was not then picked as the party's running mate.

 With Alhaji Abubakar opting to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, Governor Wike and his supporters, made up primarily of four other governors, have  been on the war path. Governors Wike, Seyi Makinde  (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) now make up what is now known as the G5 Group of Governors and have boycotted the launch of Atiku's campaign.

One of the key demands of the G5 has been that PDP chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu stands down, as he, like Alhaji Abubakar is from northern Nigeria and for the sake of unity, it was argued that a southerner should replace him. Despite several meetings between the Atiku and Wike camps to resolve the impasse, the matter has not been sorted out and Senator Ayu remains in office.

Addressing his G5 colleagues at a dinner party In Government House, Makurdi yesterday, Governor Ortom said he would not support Atiku’s presidential bid to continue the killing of Benue people. He lamented the killing of 18 people in his council area last Friday, where a young man in his 20s had his eyes removed to send a message to him.

Governor Ortom said: “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 is better that I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue.

“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, so 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.”

He said Governor Wike holds a title as the Eagle of Tivland, noting that when he, Ortom, was attacked, Wike was the first person to roar. At the time, Governor Wike said that if you kill Ortom and you have killed the whole of Nigeria.

Governor Ortom added: “He did not keep quiet when Benue was under siege. He visited with stakeholders from Rivers State and committed N250m and subsequently he has committed over N700m to Benue internally displaced persons.

"He condemned some Benue sons, particularly those at the National Assembly who are keeping silent over the killings going on in the state. He said, from tomorrow, I’m turning my venom on the National Assembly members from the state who are romancing with Buhari to kill the Benue people.”