Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, replied acerbic comments against him by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.
Atiku deplored Ortom for blaming him for the armed Fulani attacks on the people of Benue State.
He stressed that Benue remained home to him too.
Recall that Ortom had vowed never to support Atiku’s presidential ambition because of the killings by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.
Governor Ortom who had said to “hell with Atiku,” said he couldn’t support a Fulani man due to herders’ attacks on residents of his state.
But Atiku in his reaction said Ortom has the right to support any candidate of his choice in 2023.
Atiku stated this through the spokesperson of his presidential campaign team, Dino Melaye.
Melaye while appearing on Arise TV said, “Ortom is entitled by right to support whichever candidate he wants; it’s not proper to place the blame of what is happening in Benue on Atiku; it is not fair. During the Shagari administration, he appointed four Benue indigenes as ministers, also the late Yar’Adua appointed a Benue indigene as AGF. These two presidents are Fulani by ethnicity, yet they appointed Benue citizens.
“It’s uncivil to blame Fulani activities on Atiku, this is not right and not proper.
“In February this year, Atiku donated N50 million to IDPs; he shows love to the people of the state. Benue is a second home to Atiku.”