Governor Samuel Ortom and a group of elder statesmen in Benue, Minda Leaders of Thoughts, have supposedly withdrawn their support for Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar over his comments following an attack in Benue State.

Atiku Abubakar sent a message of sympathy to Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, after attacks that left about 39 people, including two policemen, dead and many hospitalised. The message read in part, “I’m saddened by the sustained clashes between farmers and herders that led to the loss of lives, including those of police officers in Gbeji community, Ukum LGA of Benue State. 

My deepest condolences to the families that may have lost a loved one and to the people and government of Benue State.” 

 However leaders of Gbeji community, accused the presidential candidate of being insenstive by claiming it was just a farmers and herders’ clash. 

They stated that what happened in Gbeji last Wednesday, 19th October, 2022, was an unprovoked attack by armed Fulani militia. The statement read; “We members of the Gbeji community are disappointed with the statement by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that there was farmers and herders’ clash in Gbeji which claimed lives including those of policemen. “What happened in Gbeji last Wednesday, 19th October, 2022, was an unprovoked attack by armed Fulani militia, on the people around 6am.

Also reacting to the statement, Ortom accused Atiku of dishonoring him as Governor and working against the interest of Benue residents.