I won’t join issues with you — Benue gov

A northern group has accused the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, of being a danger to the peace and political unity of the region.

The accusation followed the recent verbal attacks and counterattacks between him and his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Ortom, on Monday, accused Mohammed of backing terrorism, saying he should be held responsible if he (Ortom) was killed.

Ortom’s utterances came after Mohammed’s accusation last week that the Benue State governor lacked foresight and was to blame for the negative perception of Fulani herders in the country.

While urging other governors in the region to emulate Senator Bala Mohammed by standing firm on issues affecting the common interest of northern Nigeria, the Nigerian Youths Mobilisation and Enlightenment Movement, yesterday, condemned Ortom’s verbal attacks on Governor Mohammed.

It said his utterances were not only unnecessary but “provocative, callous and irresponsible.”

The group, at a press conference led by Comrade Sammani Sharif

Bashir and Malam Yusuf Abubakar in Kaduna, said Ortom’s statement was capable of heightening tensions and aggravating insecurity, political tension and misunderstanding within the region.

It called on northern governors to put their house in order by bringing an end to the verbal attacks and counter-attacks between the two governors while urging the presidency to caution political office holders, particularly from the South West, from making unguarded utterances.

Contacted, Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, told Daily Trust: “We don’t want to join issues with a faceless group.”