January 19, (THEWILL) – The senator representing Benue North West senatorial district at the national assembly, Emmanuel Orker Jev, has described Samuel Ortom, as the best candidate that should succeed him in the senate, owing to his dogged posture against injustice.
Senator Jev, who spoke at the Peoples Democratic Party governorship rally in Guma local government area of the state on Wednesday, explained that the Jemgbagh block, consisting of Tarka, Gboko and Buruku, have occupied the Senate seat for twelve years, where the current Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, senator George Akume and himself enjoyed it.
Senator Jev said Guma, Logo came first and second with Buruku placing third in voting rate in the 2019 general election, assured that Buruku, his local government area will come top to vote for Ortom for senate and Titus Uba for governor in the forthcoming general election.
“Jemgbagh block have their turn in the senate for 16 years and that is why as an incumbent, I am not contesting against governor Samuel Ortom from MINDA axis for equity and fairness to prevail.”
According to him, Benue State House of assembly under the leadership of Titus Uba had passed into law, the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment law 2017 and deserved to be voted as governor, so as to continue where Ortom will stop come May 29, 2023.
Speaking, the leadership of Benue women have resolved to vote governor Samuel Ortom into the senate, in order to move a motion that seeks to restrain terrorists herdsmen from invading and killing the people of Guma local government area and the state in general.
They noted that women are the worst hit, even as they were raped while their husbands and children have fallen victims during Fulani invasion of the ancestral homes.
Mrs Judith Kpengwa, while addressing the rally, noted that governor Samuel Ortom was unrelenting in crying out against the invasion and killings, in which their families have fled their ancestral homes and taking refuge at various internally displaced persons camps in the state.
On his part, the member of the federal House of representatives for Makurdi/Guma constituency, Benjamin Mdzondo, noted that governor Samuel Ortom and himself, among others, fought for restoration of the suppressed Agasha constituency and called on people to vote for his reelection, Ortom into the senate and Uba as governor.
Governor Ortom, while addressing supporters, charged them not to be intimidated, as he will never succumb to the killing of his people by invading herdsmen terrorists and won’t repeal the anti open grazing and Prohibition law 2017, the law of Benue state.
He said the PDP governorship candidate, Titus Uba, had garnered political experience to take over from him on May 29, calling on all to reject Fr Hyacinth Alia of APC, who he described as a political neophyte with nothing to offer people of the state.
Governor Ortom disclosed that his administration has passed a PENCOM law with N6 billion into the account that takes care of pension arrears, describing it as a legacy that would permanently end cases of pension arrears in the state.
He explained that the issue of pension arrears started right from the first civilian governor of the state, the late Aper Aku and ran through successive administrations including that of George Akume, Gabriel Suswam; accusing Akume of doing nothing good for people of Benue North West during his twelve years as a senator.
Governor Ortom explained that senator Akume has no political value any longer and should go and rest, rather than trying to impose priest on the people of the state as governor.
Responding, Mr Titus Uba said he was overwhelmed with the crowd at the rally and prayers of Benue people while on medical vacation abroad, saying he is now healthy and ready to take over from governor Samuel Ortom, to drive home good things for the state.
He listed security, agriculture, youths and women empowerment as some of the sectors that his administration will place priority upon in the course of his administration.
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