The three main socio-cultural groups in Benue State, comprising of Mdzough u Tiv, Opiatoha K’Idoma and Omni Igede have described the condolence message sent to the state by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a mockery and insult to the sensibility of the people of the state.
The president-general of Mdzough u Tiv, Chief Iorbee Ihagh who spoke on behalf of the groups said they are shocked to see such derogatory condolence message from the PDP presidential candidate who is holding one of the highest chieftaincy titles of Tivs as the Zege Mule U Tiv which means shield of the Tiv People. They also described his action as a show of shame.
The groups noted that farmers not going to the farm for fear of being killed by the marauding herdsmen has brought hunger to Benue and Nigeria at large, and that instead of Atiku to look for ways to stop his kinsmen from the dastardly act, he was busy talking about integration. “Who is integrating who?” they asked.
Ihagh who also reacted to Atiku’s comment against the Benue State governor Samuel Ortom in Kaduna where he accused the governor of profiling Fulanis as bandits and terrorists, said instead of using the opportunity to market his candidacy, Alhaji Atiku wasted the opportunity by launching a verbal attack on Governor Ortom which is not good for someone aspiring to rule Nigeria. He urged him to tender an unreserved apology to the governor and the people of the state and also retract the said message immediately.
According to Ihagh, “The former vice president had talked about ‘integration of the herdsmen into communities in Benue, whereas the Fulani have clearly shown via their actions and utterances that they do not desire to live peaceably with the farmers in Benue communities.”
The groups joined people of Gbeji, victims of the recent attack and the Benue people to reject the condolence message offered by Atiku.
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