…Benue Gov. tolls OBJ’s line, supports LP candidate
…Says he would have personally led Obi’s campaign if…
… I’m only worried – Wike
…My prayer for OBJ to remain silent didn’t work – he laments
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has
tolled the line behind former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, describing him as the right candidate to win this year’s presidential election and provide the leadership that Nigerians desire.
In a press release signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase, made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Tuesday, Ortom stated that if he were not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), he would have personally led Obi’s campaign across the country.
He strongly recommended Peter Obi to Nigerians as the man who has the capacity to effectively tackle the economic, security and other challenges facing the country.
The Governor further stated that he was convinced that Obi “possesses the qualities of a leader who will be a true President of this country by guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians.”
He stressed that for some years, the country has been tottering on the verge of collapse, owing to leadership failure and its attendant consequences of poverty, heightened insecurity with banditry, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism threatening the very foundations of the nation.
He said, “The President that Nigeria needs at this challenging time in the country’s history is one who understands the urgent need to unite the people and speedily initiate policies and actions to redirect the ship of the nation on the path of growth and development,” and emphasised that Peter Obi has all such qualities.
Ortom lauded Chief Obasanjo for once again demonstrating objectivity, truth and patriotism as a statesman whose views on national issues must be taken seriously.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, a lead voice among the G-5 governors of the PDP, has expressed worries over the fate of the PDP following the endorsement of Peter Obi by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, for the 2023 presidential election.
Wike at the flag-off of construction of Mgbuodohia Road in Rumuolumene, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Tuesday, noted that for Obasanjo to pick Obi above the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who served him for eight years as Vice President, every lover of PDP should be worried.
Wike said, “I meant no bad. I’m only worried as a prominent PDP member. A man who loves PDP should be worried.
“I was not mocking anybody. I was merely worried. My prayer was, look, let Obasanjo remain quiet and not say anything. That was all my prayer, but my prayer didn’t work.
“My prayer was that if this man makes any statement, it will indict us because he was President under the Peoples Democratic Party for eight years, and he worked with our presidential candidate.
“And the campaign of our presidential council is that our presidential candidate during the eight years did very well, with experience.”
On being castigated on his position over the development, the Governor wondered “What did I do? I didn’t do anything.
“All I did was to express concern. If you care for this party, it is for you to go back and ask what is fundamentally wrong.
“Me that is worried that we should do something and have expressed it, you’re abusing me for telling the party that we should do something.
“They are not bothered, but those of us who since 1998 joined this party, contributed for the survival of this party until now, we keep shouting always when we see danger coming.
“Abuses upon abuses, it will not change anything, rather it will spoil more things. What you don’t know, ask people, seek for advise, people will help you to solve the problem.
“Nobody can drive us (Integrity Group) from this house (PDP) we have built. All of us will fight here.
“So, if anybody thinks that you can just sit in your house and dish out orders, it will not work. The house will collapse on you. So, you better think twice.”
Governorship polls: UBA will win Governorship polls victoriously — Ortom
Meanwhile, Ortom has said that regarding the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Mr. Titus Uba would win the 2023 governorship election with a wide margin.
Ortom made the disclosure on Tuesday in Benue State Capital, Makurdi, during the welcome home rally organised for the PDP Governorship candidate who had been on medical trip to Germany since November.
He said that Uba and other PDP candidates would win overwhelmingly the 2023 general elections.
Ortom stated that Uba would win and continue to move the state forward from where he would stop.
He appreciated God Almighty for healing the party’s governorship Candidate and stressed that he was now walking without any support.
“He is even raising his hands freely. This is to show that God has proved the forces of darkness wrong. They have been crushed by our Lord Jesus Christ.
“When he was sick, we depended on God and He has done us well. He did not disappoint us. We deeply appreciate Him,” Ortom stated.
In his remarks, Uba said that he thanked God for answering the prayers of the good people of Benue and granting him quick recovery.
He appreciated Ortom for footing his medical bills in Germany, adding that he owed Mr John Ngbede his running mate a debt of gratitude for standing in his gap during his absence.
He also appreciated the Deputy Speaker of the Benue Assembly, Mr Chris Adaji and members of the Assembly for carrying out their duties creditably in his absence.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, said that he was happy because God had disappointed the peddlers of fake news against Uba.
Abounu also assured that people of the Benue South Senatorial District would vote massively for the party in 2023.
Senator Orker Jev, said that Uba’s return from his medical trip in Germany called for celebration because God had stood with them during his illness and treatment.
The Acting PDP state Chairman, Mr Isaac Mffo and the Director-General of Uba/Ngbede Campaign Organisation, Dr Cletus Tyokyaa, appreciated Benue people for keeping faith with PDP at all times.