Atiku faults Unongo …Says he does not finance Miyetti Allah

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied allegations level against him by Chief Paul Unongo that he is the major financier of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association which has empowered them to wreck havoc across the country.

Atiku in a statement of Friday, signed by Mazi Paul Ibeh, the Media adviser to the former Vice President, said that it is very disheartening that in this period of intense grief in Benue State, Chief Paul Unongo would choose to level these sad and false allegations on his person by “erroneously described as the chief financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.”

The media aide acknowledged that Atiku like any other Fulani man is a cattle breeder but also a detribalized Nigerian who has always identified with each ethnic groups during their moments of challenges but never a member of the Miyetti Allah.

The statement said, “Yes, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani and proud to be one and has never hidden that fact. However, the Waziri is a thoroughly detribalized Nigerian that would never favour one ethnic group over another.

“Last year during the massive flood in Benue State which affected over 100,000 families, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, who holds the Tiv traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv, donated cash to the Benue State Government for the care of the victims.

‘This is fitting for a man whose Tiv traditional title means ‘the biggest shade of the Tiv people’” Ibe stressed.

He further expressed worry that Chief Paul Unongo chose to neglect that act of love and care Atiku had over the years extended to the people of Benue.

“Not only did the Zege Mule U Tiv make a financial donation, he also called on the Federal Government to do more to assist the flood ravaged communities.

“Let it be known that though Waziri Adamawa is a Fulani, he is not a member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria nor has he ever been a member. He has also never discussed about that group with Chief Paul Unongo”.

The Waziri Adamawa called for full investigations into the causes of the protracted Benue state mayhem.

“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar enjoins that a thorough investigation be made into the killings in Benue, and that anyone found culpable be made to bear the full weight of the law.”

Atiku noted that Unongo is presently enjoying an appointment from the present government and may be making such unguarded utterances to satisfy his pay master.

“It has not escaped our notice that Chief Paul Unongo is the Chairman, Governing Board of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), a position he was appointed to in April of last year.

“Understandably, Chief Unongo would be very grateful to those who gave him such a position and may feel it is his duty to attack and sully those in their bad books.

“If that is the case, it would be a very sad day when a supposed elder chooses to make mileage of the sufferings of the people of Benue State who have had to endure the impunity of these killings for far too long” Atiku emphasised.

Atiku however prayed for the souls of the departed and as a traditional title holder of Tiv land, assured the entire people of Benue (including the Idoma and Igede) that he would do everything in his power to bring justice, relief and compensation their way.