Governor Samuel Ortom says he cannot abandon Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers because he has proved to be a trusted and dependable ally. The Benue governor also disclosed that he was against the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Mr Ortom disclosed this at a banquet in honour of Mr Wike, Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu and Seyi Makinde on Sunday in Makurdi.

He disclosed that when bandits (suspected to be Fulani herdsmen) attacked him, the Rivers governor was the first to condemn it.

“When Benue was under siege, he donated N250 million, and he subsequently spent over N700 million to support the state to tackle the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the unwarranted attacks,” Mr Ortom explained. “He did not stop at that. He convinced Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to also assist the state, and he donated N200 million to us.”

He also disclosed that when two markets in the state were burnt, Mr Wike donated N200 million each.

“Is he not a worthy friend? He is a worthy friend, and we are working together to liberate the country,” he stated.

The Benue governor added that he would not support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Mr Abubakar, declaring that any of Mr Abubakar’s supporters are his enemies.

“I am not going to support any Fulani man to continue to do injustice to my people unless my people tell me to do otherwise,” Mr Ortom said.

Wike commended Mr Ortom for honouring the governors at the event.

The Rivers governor stated that nobody could separate them, no matter the blackmail.

“People want to break us, but they cannot. We are bonded. Therefore, we cannot be separated,” Mr Wike declared.

He advised the leadership of the PDP at the centre to always respect agreements for peace to reign. 

(NAN)