Attah Ede. Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed the confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would retain all its elective positions in Benue in the 2023 polls.
Governor Ortom stated this during the flag-off of the Benue North-East Senatorial campaign for the re-election of Senator Gabriel Suswam on Monday.
According to the Governor, the massive turnout of supporters at the flag-off ceremony was an indication that the people of the Zone A Senatorial district are ready to vote for all PDP candidates.
In his words: “It is very clear with the crowd we are witnessing here that Kwande will again massively vote for PDP. It is an indication that Zone A with seven local government areas will massively vote for PDP. And I make bold to say that Zone B and C remain the stronghold of PDP in Benue State.”
The Governor recalled that the PDP had challenges in the state during the 2015 election when he defected to another party, stating that the PDP has since returned to its winning ways.
“I am aware that in 2015, PDP had problems when I left PDP for APC and because of the misrule of the APC in Nigeria, I came back to PDP. And since then, we have occupied the space in Nigeria and in Benue State,” Ortom said.
While thanking the people for turning out en masse for the flag-off ceremony, Governor Ortom assured them “we will continue to work together” for the good of the state.
“We believe in the unity of purpose. We believe in working together and that is why you have seen all of us here, Senator Suswam, myself, Senator Abba Moro and all the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly members here. I want to assure you that by the grace of God, come 2023, PDP will win all the way.”
In his remarks, the Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, Senator Suswam said the National Assembly was a place for men of courage, focus and determination to attract federal presence to their constituencies.
He enjoined the people to elect the trio of Ortom, Abba Moro and himself as Senators as they have what it takes to synergize and offer effective representation.
Senator Suswam particularly rolled out the flagship projects he had executed in his senatorial zone and called on the people to re-elect him to consolidate on his achievements.
He noted that with the unity of Benue representatives in the National Assembly, he would be better positioned to do more.
Suswam also charged the people to vote for Titus Uba as Governor of the state in the 2023 governorship elections.
He added that as Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Uba has demonstrated competence and was already familiar with governance and would not be learning on the job to move the state forward.
Senator representing Benue South senatorial district, Senator Abba Morro in a goodwill message stated that he came in “solidarity to show that in Benue State we are one.
He stressed that the trio of himself, Ortom and Suswam when elected, would collaborate towards ensuring that the state is not shortchanged in the national power equation.
He pointed out that “the primary responsibility of Government is to secure lives and property” which he said the Ortom administration has continued to champion as a result of the failure of the Federal Government to provide security for citizens.
The PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Uba who was represented by the Deputy Governorship candidate, John Ngbede said “unity is our strength for progress” emphasising that the welfare and security of the people will remain a top priority if elected.
He pledged not to disappoint the people.
State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Isaac Mffo had earlier received decampees from the APC into the PDP and presented party flags to all candidates for various elective positions in Zone A.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof Dennis Ityavyar declared that Zone A is ready to give all PDP candidates in next year’s election the largest votes and ensure that the party wins convincingly.
The Director of the Zone A Campaign Management Committee, Dr. Paul Ubwa, Chairlady, Mrs. Mwuese Ubebe, BoT Member, Mrs. Margaret Icheen for women as well as Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Prof Nicholas Ada and Clement Adzuanongo who spoke for Sankera, Kwande and Jechira in separate remarks pledged support to ensure that PDP comes out victorious in the 2023 elections.
Thousands of party supporters thronged the ACC Adikpo football field for the PDP campaign flag off.
