2023: Why Ortom, Atiku must reconcile, seek end to Benue killings – Middle Belt Christian Forum

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Middle Belt Christian Forum has called on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to reconcile any differences between them and work together in order to solve the many challenges bedeviling Benue as well as other states in the Middle Belt region.

Spokesman of the forum, Pastor Jeremiah Bitrus, disclosed this in Jos, the Plateau State capital at the end of the forum’s emergency meeting.

He said Ortom and Atiku should look for a way of cementing their relationship in order to have a common ground since they are members of the same party and can fight for a prosperous course.

Bitrus said the more reason Ortom and Atiku should mend fences is not because Benue is only a PDP state, but because Atiku is a traditional title holder in Benue, which is the Shelter of TiV Nation/Benue.

“Atiku, ought to be seen doing much to address or talk against the killings in the state as a leader, party presidential candidate and former vice president who is a father to all and understands the fabrics and intricacies of the nation.

“Since Ortom has declared that he is not leaving the PDP there is no point to remain in the party and keep clashing with the leaders or candidate(s).

“Ortom should also appeal to the other aggrieved governors to resolve whatever grievances they have with the party so that they can forge ahead,” Bitrus said.

He, however, said most of the comments being made by Ortom in recent times is due to the fact that the state is facing serious security challenges, leading to loss of lives and properties and anyone in his shoes and feel his pains will be making such outbursts which could be coherent or otherwise.

According to him, “Ortom deserves commendation and not condemnation for having being raising alarm of eminent dangers that will breach the security of the state, the Middle-Belt region and the nation in general, since the killings is not only in Benue but also in many parts of the country like Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, among others.

The spokesman said that people should see beyond how he presents whatever he is saying and look into the facts of what he is talking about in order to seek a collective and sustainable solution to the problem.

Bitrus further explained that Ortorm in his move to tackle the killings in the state which mostly emanate from the farmers/herders clashes, came up with an anti-open grazing law which is today being adopted by about 17 states in the federation, and that even though the law has not entirely halted the clashes it has tamed so many things.