The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday said the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has the right to support any candidate of his choice.
 Atiku disclosed this while reacting to the tirades against him by Ortom.
The former Vice-President said it’s uncivil for the Governor to blame him for the armed Fulani attacks on the people of Benue State.
Recall that over the weekend, it was reported that Ortom had vowed never to support Atiku’s presidential ambition due to the killings in Benue State.
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.”
However Atiku through the spokesperson of his presidential campaign team, Dino Melaye, while featuring on Arise TV said the Governor is entitled to support any candidate of his choice in 2023.
Melaye 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.”