Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, amid the internal squabble in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called the bluff of its presidential candidate, saying: “To hell with Atiku”.
The governor made the statement when he hosted his colleagues from Rivers, Oyo, Abia and Enugu states (aka G5) to a dinner party at the Government House, Makurdi.
The four governors – Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State – arrived in Makurdi on Sunday for the official flag-off of the PDP governorship and parliamentary campaign scheduled for Monday.
At the event, Ortom vowed never to support Atiku’s presidential bid “to continue the killing of Benue people.”
The governor lamented the killing of 18 persons in his council area last Friday, where a young man in his 20s had his eyes removed.
He said: “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 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 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.