The Benue Youth Forum (BYF) says it is supporting Samuel Ortom’s decision to endorse Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party.
The group said it decided to queue behind Ortom who has seen the light and is leading the state to the path where its penury shall be over.
Terrence Kuanum, president of BYF, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision was taken at a meeting of the forum held in Makurdi, the state capital.
“As you are all aware, we have been in the trenches for over seven years now, fighting the course of our people who have become endangered and targets of incessant attacks by Fulani militiamen,” Kuanum said.
“Within the period under review, we have been called names by some naysayers within and outside the state. We have suffered a series of verbal attacks, and faced unprecedented intimidation and molestation by security operatives detailed by our enemies to protect them. But we have remained undaunted.
“It is also on record that we have never relented in shouting to the ears of those who we expect to care that our people are facing the threats of going into extinction due to the heinous activities of sponsored and well-protected terrorists who are bent on eliminating us and annexing our ancestral lands.
“Even those in authority, especially at the centre, have tagged us, alarmists and rabble-rousers, because of our insistence on ensuring that our people are allowed to stay in their ancestral homes and do their farming and other activities without any fear.
“Sadly, the attacks have not abetted as the Fulani militia who have sworn not to obey the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue state are constantly on rampage, killing villagers in their sleep and attacking even those in internally displaced persons, IDPs camps. What could be more callous?
“Most worrisome is the fact that the terrorists are enjoying the sympathy of some Fulani elites including the former emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido who was dethroned for indiscipline, corruption and incitement of the people to violence in Kano and other parts of the north.
“All these and other factors necessitated this town hall meeting which, as I said earlier, was convened to look at issues dispassionately and take a position. The meeting had youths from the three senatorial zones of Benue State and vital resolutions were reached.”
Kuanum said the BYF would mobilize its members across the state to participate actively in the 2023 elections.
