The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has responded to Wednesday’s statement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam, that herdsmen killings in Benue and some other northern states were not a continuation of Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad.
The Secretary-General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, had made the statement in which the body accused Ortom and a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode of denigrating Islam.
Read statement by clicking on this link
But in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom dispelled that he denigrated Islam but insisted that the killings had ethno-religious footprint.
He said that many Fulani Nationalist groups had been threatening violence against Benue people, especially because of the recent Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law passed by the state
“The Benue State Governor has enormous respect for the leadership of Jama’atul Nasir Islam and all other Nigerian Muslims and would not have launched an attack on the religion. We reject and condemn this negative branding of the Governor by JNI.
“Since assumption of office, Governor Ortom has embraced and encouraged all religious groups in the state especially the Muslim community as evident in the cordial relationship between the present administration and leadership of the Islamic faith. It is therefore strange that the headquarters of Jama’atul Nasir Islam has chosen to assault the Governor’s reputation on a matter which has verifiable evidence unconnected with him.
“Governor Ortom has demonstrated statesmanship and focus in handling the secuirty challenge in the state and he appreciates the contributions of all stakeholders particularly religious leaders both Christian and Muslim towards the return of peace to the affected parts of Benue State,” the statement read in part.
I am surprised to understand from the sultan reaction there is similarity of purpose what othman did and what the Herdsmen are doing now.
It is confirmed Northern Nigeria is polarized by christian bigots,let the peace prevail,you must be vanquisheđ if the situation is out of control.You are certain we,muslims,are tagged as fearless creatures on the planet.
Sultan is a liar .Benue your being used to test ground .the worst is coming.
Who is fooling Who?
Sultan,with all due respect you are the mastermind of the Fulani killer herdsmen implementing the second Jihad.
Please call your Jihadists to order for the sake of Almighty God.
Nigerian christians have to be cautious with their responses to high and respected personalities like the Sultan of Sokoto,how do you feel if i,as a muslim,irrigate some insults to your religious leaders?Nigeria is fractured.
The southerners who push you to invite the tension and disunity in the North would never come to your rescue when the satisfied peace deteriorates between us.Take a look at their co-existance with their immediate neighbours,they are dissatified and hostile to our long-term cooperation.Be mindful