PDP intervenes in Bauchi gov, Ortom rift over use of AK-47 by herdsmen, others

Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, intervened in the deepening feud between Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom.

Both governors have lately expressed opposing views about the herdsmen crisis in the country.

Bala had thrown his weight behind the Fulani herdsmen, condemning the ban on open grazing in Benue and other states.

The Bauchi governor had also justified the bearing of AK-47 by herdsmen, saying that was the only option they have for self-defence.

Mohammed in his clarification of the statement which generated criticism, said AK-47 was used as a ‘figure of speech’.

But Ortom berated Bala, saying that he was beginning to think that the Bauchi governor is a “part of the terrorist Fulani organisation terrorising the country”.

The Benue governor told the herdsmen that they can live anywhere in Nigeria provided that they would be law-abiding.

Ortom asked the herdsmen to either respect Benue laws or go and carry AK-47 in Bauchi State.

But PDP in a tweet, called for calm between the two governors.

The main opposition party tweeted, “@OfficialPDPNig assures that it has waded into the rift between Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom.

“The PDP calls for calm as the internal reconciliation mechanism introduced by the hierarchy of the party between the two governors subsists.

“The PDP however urges the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the escalated security challenges in our country.”