Attah Ede
In less than 24 hours to the governorship and State Assemblies’ elections, the governorship candidate of Labour Party, in Benue State, Herman Hembe has declared that his party has nothing to do with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP or the outgoing governor, Samuel Ortom, in the state.
Hembe stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi the Benue State.
Recalled that different support groups under the auspices of Obidients movement of the Labour Party had endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Mr. Titus Uba.
“In fact, we would never contemplate any such relationship. House of Assembly candidates of our party too have not, and will not step down for any party.”
The State Chairman of Labour Party, Engr Ibrahim Idoko Otene who led other members of the party to Government House, Makurdi, said the decision of the party to support Uba to win the governorship election was sequel to the collaboration the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi received from the PDP in the state.
Otene, who was in company of members of the State Working Committee of the Labour Party, stated that their action was a directive from the National Secretariat of the party. According to him, the support Governor Samuel Ortom gave to their presidential candidate had to be reciprocated.
He said the Governor stood for equity, fairness and justice, and even risked his senatorial ambition for the Obi presidential bid.
The Benue State Labour Chairman, also commended Engr Titus Uba for his humility and synergy with other key players, expressing optimism that the PDP guber candidate would serve the state diligently.
Governor Ortom had thanked the party for voluntarily deciding to endorse Titus Uba to win the governorship election, assuring them that Uba, an experienced lawmaker and administrator would not disappoint the Benue people.
The PDP governorship candidate, Uba had also appreciated them for the huge endorsements, pledging that if elected, his administration will give priority to the issues of security and the economy.
But in a swift reaction, the governorship candidate of Labour Party in Benue state, Hon. Herman Hembe, debunked the claims saying he has no such intention.
“Let me state categorically that nothing in this world would make me consider joining the failed PDP, a party in government that owes 64 months of pension arrears, owes 17 months of civil servants salary arrears, a party that has borrowed and plunged Benue into over 180 billion in debt.
“A party that refused to pay bailout funds to workers and pensioners, a party that has destroyed the local government system and continues to deny that tier of government its needed autonomy, an anti people, anti farmer, and anti Benue party and government.
“The people of Benue have appropriately rejected the PDP at the last polls and will do so again this Saturday. What then would be my incentive for identifying with such a lost cause?
“Add to the above the fact is that the PDP parades the worst Gubernatorial candidate in Benue state and an exiting governor who has performed abysmally for nearly eight years.
“Labour Party has nothing to do with Benue PDP or outgoing governor Samuel Ortom, and would never contemplate any such relationship. House of Assembly candidates of our party too have not, and will not step down for any party.”
