Ortom: Why I won’t support Atiku in 2023

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has again said he would not support the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 general election, stressing that any supporter of the former Vice President is his enemy.

Ortom said this at a banquet in honour of Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Sunday.

“I am not going to support any Fulani man to continue to do injustice to my people unless my people tell me to do otherwise,” the governor said.

He stated that he cannot abandon Governor Wike, saying the latter has proved to be a trusted and dependable ally.

Governor Ortom said when bandits (suspected to be Fulani herdsmen) attacked him, Wike was the first person to condemn it with emphasis that if they kill him they have killed Nigeria.

“He did not keep quiet. He spoke without any fear.

“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.

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“He did not stop at that. He convinced Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to also assist the state and he donated N200 million to us,” Ortom said.

He further disclosed that when two markets in the state were burnt, Wike donated N200 million to each market razed.

“Is he not a worthy friend? He is a worthy friend and we are working together to liberate the country,” the governor stated.

Responding on behalf of the visiting governors, Wike appreciated Ortom for the honour he had given to them.

The governor stated that nobody could separate them no matter the blackmail, stressing that they are bonded.

“People want to break us but they cannot, we are bonded therefore, we cannot be separated,” Wike said.

He further advised the leadership of the PDP at the centre to always respect agreements for peace to reign.

The Star