The Northern Awareness Movement (NAM) has thrown its weight behind the presidential candidate of the opposition People’s democratic party (PDP) over his stance against the profiling of Fulanis as terrorists.
The group led by Muhammed Inuwa In a statement commended Atiku Abubakar for finding the courage to condemn attacks by rogue elements of the Fulani stock behind the recurring conflict between herders and farmers across the country.
The group described as provocative and a joke is taken too far from the decision by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state and his loyalists under the aegis of the Minda elders forum to distance themselves from the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar.
The group noted: “But like it’s typical to politicize every issue and try to score cheap political points, the enemies of the North and Nigeria at large had carefully twisted Atiku’s comment to mean that he supports rogue elements and approves of their cowardly act of wreaking havoc and mayhem on innocent well-meaning Nigerians.
“If anything, the above statement by Atiku Abubakar has laid credence and further cemented his Pan-Nigerian credentials. Recall that he has often referred to himself as being a “Nigerian first” before being a Fulani.
“Atiku sees everyone as Nigerians first, regardless of the tongue, tribe and religion hence the careful and intentional use of the phrase “our people”.
“The Northern Awareness Movement wishes to state unequivocally that the press conference by the Minda Leaders of thoughts is a provocative joke taken too far. It is unfortunate for the so-called leaders to attempt to praise the non-performing Ortom as a “global icon”. They should bury their heads in shame for the ridiculous attempt to dress Governor Ortom in borrowed robes.
“The NAM is not unaware of the failures of Governor Ortom to pay salaries and lacking of any legacy project of his own in Benue state. We are also not unaware of the seeming loss of popularity by Dr. Samuel Ortom in Benue state on a daily basis as a result of failure in office.”
The group thereby urged Governor Ortom and his group of elders to sheath their swords and concentrate on developing the Benue state and also delivering Ortom at the polls in the coming 2023 general election.
