TheCable

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, has tackled his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, over the latter’s comment on herders.

On Thursday, Mohammed said herders carry weapons because they need to protect themselves.

The Bauchi governor also criticised Ortom, whom he accused of fuelling the criminalisation of the Fulani tribe.

In a statement on Friday through Terver Akase, his spokesperson, Ortom said he was disappointed in his colleague’s statement, adding that such utterances are capable of leading the country to anarchy.

“Governor Ortom wonders which section of the law the Bauchi State Governor cited to support herdsmen’s free movement around the country with sophisticated weapons,” the statement reads.

“He recalls that it was the same Governor Mohammed who once said on national television that a Fulani man is a global citizen and, therefore, does not need a visa to come to Nigeria and that the forests belong to herdsmen.

“Governor Ortom wonders if his friend and colleague in Bauchi State knows a thing or two about the horrendous activities of herders in parts of the country to warrant the emotional defence and justification that he has repeatedly put forward in their favour.

“The Governor finds it unfortunate that those who are trusted with the people’s mandate, and should ordinarily uphold truth and justice, have chosen to mislead the country.

“He stresses the need for leaders to be cautious and retrace their steps which are capable of leading the country to anarchy.”