Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Ahmed Fintiri of Adamawa have reconciled Governors Samuel Ortom of and Bala Mohammed of Benue and Bauchi states respectively following their recent war of words.
The two governors clashed over a comment made by Mohammed that Fulani herdsmen should be allowed to carry AK-47 with them for their self-protection.
While addressing newsmen recently in Makurdi on the state of security, Governor Ortom slammed the Bauchi governor for supporting suspected killer herdsmen to carry arms at the expense of other Nigerians.
However, the conflict was resolved in Port Harcourt on Tuesday following the intervention of Wike and Fintiri.
Briefing journalists after the meeting which held at Wike’s private residence, Mohammed said the outburst between him and Ortom was regrettable.
“We don’t mean to divide the country, to divide our people. We are still friends and brothers and that 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,” Mohammed said.
On his part, Ortom also accepted his fault in the public outburst and welcomed the reign of peace.
“We have accepted that it was wrong for us to have that kind of outburst that went out, but as from today we have learnt. 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 said.
Wike and Fintiri also appreciated their fellow governors for giving peace a chance as they look forward to tackling the issue of insecurity bedevilling the nation.
