The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, says the outburst between him and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom over the Fulani herdsmen crisis was highly regrettable.
He made this known on Tuesday while briefing journalists at a meeting held at Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers state’s private residence at Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt.
Mohammed said governor Ortom is still a friend and brother, adding that both governors would move forward because most of those issues are fully resolved.
He said: “We didn’t mean to divide the country, to divide our people. We are still friends and brothers and we will move forward because most of those issues are fully resolved.
“I want to seize this opportunity to tell Nigerians that whatever misconception that is there, that me and my brother Ortom are having problem or anybody in Nigeria, is not true. What happened was just an explanation that emanated from a larger Governors’ Forum that we spoke on the security of the nation and we talked of the failure of security infrastructure which everybody knows is under the purview of the federal government.”
Also speaking to reporters, Ortom appreciated Wike and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State for arranging the meeting.
He said: “We have accepted that it was wrong for us to have that kind of outburst that went out, but as from today we have learned. We are all fallible human beings and we are subject to mistakes and so when we make mistakes, it is a plus for us if we correct them. And I think moving forward, we shall live together. The Fulani and Tiv people have cohabitated for a long time and there is no issue whatsoever.”
Ortom blamed the failure of the Federal Government to secure the lives and properties of every Nigerian for the recent feud.
“We look forward that the Federal Government should stoop down to conquer by accepting that, yes, they have failed, so that together the State and the local government can come together to find a way of finding a lasting solution to this country.
“As of today, there is no equity, there is no fairness, there is no justice in our country and that is why everywhere in Nigeria there are issues. So, we look forward that the Federal Government will partner with us. This time we need not to talk about partisan politics. We must come together. We need not talk about ethnicity or religion. We must come together as brothers and sisters who have no other country than Nigeria, to work together towards a common cause that will solve the problem that we have,” he said.