Tiv Youth Organization, TYO, has vowed to withhold support for any presidential candidate sympathizing with the Falin herdsmen causing mayhem in Benue State.
The group in a statement issued by its President General, Timothy Hembaor, named the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume and others as those to be ignored in the forthcoming election.
The youths accused Akume and Atiku of supporting the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who have severally issued threats to people of the state.
According to the group, Miyetthi Allah’s recent comments were “in cahoots with those made earlier by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who said he is angry with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for profiling Fulani.
“Atuku further impliedly stated that until Fulani are integrated into Benue communities that “they would be obligated to reciprocate the love and acceptance”.
“Such insensitive comments coming from someone who is seeking to be President of this country is evident that Atiku will be Fulani president if elected. Nigeria will be doomed to have another ethnic bigot to succeed Muhammadu Buhari.
“But Atiku is not alone in his blame-the-victim mission against our people. Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume who is a Benue son is one of those ably supporting the Fulani occupation agenda.
“He has at different times accused our people of killing themselves. Akume’s statements sought to exonerate killer herdsmen from any blame. He and others who hold the same narrative have sold their state for a pot of porridge.
“We want to warn political parties in the country and their candidates that 2023 is about our survival as Benue people and we will only vote for candidates who have shown the readiness to protect us from our enemies. Any candidate who has no regard for us or is romancing with our enemies should forget our votes.”
