Buhari, Atiku under fire over comments on killings in Benue

Benue Republicans, a pressure group, has frowned at statements by President Muhammadu Buhari and the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for their comment over the recent attack on Gbeji in Ukum Local Government of the state where scores of persons were killed.

IDOMA VOICE recalls that no fewer than 39 people including two police personnel were killed in the community last week in an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

In a condolence statement to the people of the community, signed by one of his media aides, Garba Shehu, President Buhari, stated that though he has had political disagreements with the governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, he was ready to put that aside to commiserate with the governor over the killings.

The president then asked for the assistance of Nigerians to investigate the gruesome killings.

Similarly, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mr Atiku expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the attack and suggested that if elected president, he would undertake the need for constitutional reform to promote inclusiveness.

Reacting, the group in a statement signed by its convener, Peter Shande, described the statements as “insensitive and irresponsible”.

The group particularly reserved his harshest words for Mr Atiku describing his statement as “insane,” ethnocentric” and “inciting.”

“Atiku’s statement on the senseless killing of innocent people in Gbeji is not only insane, and ethnocentric but insults to the sensibilities of the Nigerians.

“It is disappointing that Atiku, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has refused to detach himself from ethnic sentiments even in the wake of the killing of the defenceless citizens, but chose tribal loyalty and political correctness to mock the victims, the group stated.

“It is rather expected that, when people are being slaughtered and displaced in times such as this, people are expected to restrain from further comments that are so sensitive that would aggravate the pains of the victims.”