I can't abandon Wike, he's a valued and loyal ally - Ortom

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has said he cannot abandon Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers because he has proved to be a trusted and dependable ally.

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

He disclosed that when bandits (suspected to be Fulani herdsmen) attacked him, Wike was the first person to condemn it, emphasizing that if they killed him, they had killed Nigeria. He did not keep quiet. He spoke without fear.

"When Benue was under siege, he donated N250 million and subsequently spent over N700 million to support the state in tackling the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the unwarranted attacks."

He did not stop at that. "He convinced Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to also assist the state, and he donated N200 million to us," Ortom said.

He also disclosed that when two markets in the state were burned, 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.

He said that he would not support the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, stressing that any of Atiku's supporters are his enemies.

"I am not going to support any Fulani man who continues to do injustice to my people unless my people tell me to do otherwise," he said.

Responding on behalf of the visiting governors, Wike appreciated Ortom for the honor he had given them.

The Rivers governor stated that nobody could separate them, no matter the blackmail, emphasizing that they are bonded.

"People want to break us, but they cannot. We are bonded, therefore, we cannot be separated," Wike said.

He further advised the leadership of the PDP at the center to always respect agreements in order for peace to reign.