The Northern Awareness Movement (NAM) has asked the governor of Benue Samuel Ortom to concentrate his energy on the development of the state, deliver his party in 2023 and ensure prompt payment of salaries. 

The northern group also frowned at the press conference held by the Minda Leaders of thoughts of Benue state where they purportedly withdrew their support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. 

Both governor Ortom and the Minder Leaders had verbally attacked Atiku over an alleged statement credited to him. 

Reacting to the development through a statement signed by the chairman of the NAM, Muhammed Inuwa, made available to journalists on Wednesday, October 26 in Abuja, the group said Atiku’s statement had laid credence and further cemented his pan-Nigerian credentials.

Part of the statement read: “The Northern Awareness Movement wishes to state unequivocally that the press conference by the Minda Leaders of thoughts is a provocative joke taken too far. It is unfortunate for the so-called leaders to attempt to praise the non-performing Ortom as a ‘global icon’.”

“They should bury their heads in shame for the ridiculous attempt to dress Governor Ortom in borrowed robes.”

“The NAM is not unaware of the failures of Governor Ortom to pay salaries and the lack of any legacy project of his own in Benue state. We are also not unaware of the seemingly loss of popularity by Dr. Samuel Ortom in Benue state on a daily basis as a result of failure in office.” 

“We urge Governor Ortom and his group of elders to sheath their swords and concentrate on developing Benue state and also delivering Ortom at the polls in the coming 2023 general election.” 

The group also commended Atiku for finding the courage to condemn rogue elements of the Fulani stock and also, finding it worthy to address certain critical issues like profiling the entire Fulani race.