Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says he is working with his River Counterpart, Nyesom Wike, to liberate the country.
According to him he won’t be supporting the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, due to the killing of Benue people by armed Fulani Herdsmen.
Ortom made the statement on Sunday when he hosted his colleagues — Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu — in Makurdi, Benue state capital.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Speaking on his relationship with Governor Wike, Governor Ortom said, “many have wondered why I have chosen to swim with Wike.
” Many have wondered why I have chosen to walk with him in the midst of storms and threats and also fire and brimstone.
“Many have wondered, but I still remember that this is the man who stood with us during our trying moments
Ortom described Wike as a “worthy friend” who has always shown support for the people of Benue.
He said Wike holds a title as the Eagle of Tiv land noting that when he, (Ortom)was attacked, Wike was the first person who roared that ”kill Ortom and you have killed the whole Nigeria.”
“When Benue was under siege, he donated N250 million and he subsequently spent over N700 million to support the state to tackle the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the unwarranted attacks,” Ortom said.
“He did not stop at that. He convinced Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to also assist the state and he donated N200 million to us.”
“Is he not a worthy friend? He is a worthy friend and we are working together to liberate the country.”
Wike had contested the PDP presidential election in May but lost to Atiku Abubakar.
The Rivers governor is at the forefront of the campaign for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman of PDP.
Despite being from the same Tiv-speaking part of Benue with Ayu, Ortom has insisted that Wike’s demand be met.
