Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has revealed that a long-standing rift exists between his predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, due to allegations surrounding the alleged harbouring of criminal herdsmen in Nasarawa State.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Governor Sule dismissed the claims that Nasarawa was sheltering criminal elements, describing the allegations as baseless and unfounded.
“The problem comes with the terminology of harbouring and things like that because there is nothing like that. Nasarawa doesn’t even have enough Fulanis that we can say it is harbouring anybody,” Sule stated firmly.
He emphasized that Nasarawa has its own internal challenges to contend with and would not willfully become entangled in issues related to criminal herdsmen. “Nasarawa is not known for that. Anything that has to do with dairies or cattle, we don’t do that because Nasarawa has enough problems of its own. So, why would Nasarawa be interested in harbouring anybody?” he queried.
Governor Sule also disclosed that upon assuming office in 2019, he was met with an already strained relationship between Al-Makura and Ortom, largely driven by mutual accusations tied to security concerns along the Nasarawa-Benue border.
“I went to Governor Ortom to say, what is really happening between you and my predecessor? He said it’s because of this and that, and I said okay, calm down. I am willing to sit down with you to find a solution,” the governor recounted.
The revelation adds another layer to the complex security dynamics in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region frequently troubled by violent clashes between farmers and herders, leading to significant displacement and insecurity.
Governor Sule’s remarks may signal an effort to ease regional tensions and foster renewed dialogue between states facing shared security challenges.
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