Governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom has demanded public apology from the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for claiming that he (Ortom) apologised to him (Atiku) and told him that his brothers the Tivs stole his cows.
Ortom who expressed disappointment over the comment by the presidential candidate of PDP) said it would be unfair to undress an elder like him in a public and go back in the closet to dress him thinking he will be happy.
The Benue state governor said this Wednesday in Makurdi, when the Jemgbagh Youth endorsed him for the 2023 Senate to represent the Benue North West senatorial district.
He said though Atiku apologised to him, he told him that the statement did not go well with his people, therefore, he will have to tender it publicly.
“I want to put it on record that at no time did I apologise to Atiku that some of my brothers were stealing my cows. I have not said that, he lied against me, and I take exception and I require an apology from him.
“It’s unbecoming of a presidential candidate to be telling lies. I did not tell him that people from Benue are stealing my cows. where?
“I never also profiled Fulanis, as a whole because it will be a logical fallacy to say that all Fulanis are bad.
“There are good Fulanis, some are my friends and I can allow them access to my bedroom and house. Some are working with me in the state.
“But these Fulanis coming from Niger, Kenya, Mali, etc, they occupied our land and caused our people to be displaced. It is not acceptable and as governor, I cannot accept it.
“What Atiku said is unacceptable, you cannot be contesting for president and fighting for Fulani agenda. Atiku must have to apologise to Benue people. If he doesn’t do, we will have to vote according to election.
“We cannot vote for a president to come and continue the killings in the state.
“Since 2017, Atiku came to Benue and I pleaded with him to visit the IDPs and he refused. No wonder he harboured a bad motive in his mind.
“Atiku you have disappointed me and the Benue people and you must apologise.
“Even if my ambition to senate is not achieved, I cannot abandon my people,” he noted.
