The recent remarks of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State that he would never back a Fulani man to become president of Nigeria again has been characterized as “diversionary” by the Northern Elders Forum, or NEF, IgbereTV reports
This was contained in a statement issued by the NEF spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, sequel to Ortom’s apology to Nigerians over his anti-Fulani statement.
Ortom, in his apology, said, “You want me to be a slave for a Fulani. Its better I die. My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. 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.”
However, the Forum in its statement said, “We, like other Nigerians, watched the video in which Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom speaks in a manner and language totally unbecoming of a leader, at a time when standards of responsibility and decorum should be at their highest levels.
“He was apparently addressing citizens on recent killing of villagers which he attributes to Fulani herders.
“Even while making allowances for the established patterns of rhetorics and practice of Governor Ortom on inter-communal relations, this latest outburst should be condemned in a most emphatic manner.
“It does neither justice to the condemnable killings in Benue State, nor to the standing of the Governor before his people.”
The statement further slammed the Benue State Governor over his utterances which it said might charge the polity ahead of the 2023 elections
