Northern Elders Forum (NEF) said like other Nigerians, it watched the video in which the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, spoke in a manner and language totally unbecoming of a leader, at a time when standards of responsibility and decorum should be at their highest levels.
It said Ortom was apparently addressing citizens on recent killing of villagers which he attributed to Fulani herders. It added that even while making allowances for the established patterns of rhetoric and practice of Governor Ortom on inter-communal relations, this latest outburst should be condemned in a most emphatic manner.
The northern elders in a statement signed by the director, publicity and advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja, yesterday, said Ortom’s outburst does neither justice to the condemnable killings in Benue State, nor to the standing of the governor. It said the context of a politicised environment does not excuse this latest demeaning outing of Governor Ortom, adding that on the contrary, it diverts attention from the latest tragedy that has befallen citizens and families in Benue State.
The statement said the forum has consistently condemned the state of siege and insecurity under which Nigerians have lived in the last few years, noting that in the North in particular, rogue Fulani elements have stood out as killers, bandits and kidnappers.
The forum said it would continue to demand that those who are asking for their votes in 2023 will show in clear and specific terms how they plan to re-secure all Nigerians and that they must also demonstrate how they intend to address damaging profiling and deliberate exploitation of passions eminently demonstrated by Governor Ortom.
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