‘I didn’t mean that’ — Ortom apologises over ‘to hell with Fulani’ comment

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, has apologised over his recent comment about the Fulani ethnic group.

Ortom tendered the apology on Wednesday when he and some of his colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid a visit to Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi.

While hosting his colleagues in his state last week, Ortom was reported to have made uncomplimentary remarks about Fulani.

“To hell with Atiku and any other Fulani man. And any man supporting Atiku and all that is an enemy. I want this to be known as long as I am governor. They should go and tell him. You want me to be a slave for a Fulani. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue,” Ortom had said.

“My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. My tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers.”

Following the comment, the governor came under heavy criticism by Nigerians. 

Speaking on Wednesday, Ortom said his comment was taken out of context.

“I want to say that the statement people are holding on to was not what I meant when I was captured saying that,” he said.

“But all the same,  I know it will amount to logical fallacy if people have taken it the way they did.

“I want to say to those I offended by my remarks; I didn’t mean that. I am sorry about it.”