Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has endorsed Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for the February 25 election.
Ortom is one of the five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), tagged G-5, the group, led by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state as other members.
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The aggrieved governors and their allies had pulled out of the presidential campaign of the PDP, and withheld support for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the party, pending the resignation of Senator Iyioricha Ayu as National Chairman of the party.
But in an open declaration on Thursday, at a town hall meeting for stakeholders across the 276 councils wards of the state, organised by the Inter–Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), in support of Obi –Datti presidential ambition, Ortom announced his support for the LP presidential candidate.
He called on Nigerians not to vote along party lines, but consider individuals with credentials, character, competence, educational backgrounds capable to deliver and revamp the socio-economic fortunes of the country.
Ortom also said together, the people must fashion out a new Nigeria that will give the citizens equity, fairness, and justice, as he stressed need for the people to shun all partisan sentiment because the major political parties today had failed the nation.
He said, “We have come to a time where we must live out sentiments and save Nigeria by looking at individuals who can lead with the fear of God and provide gainful employment for the Youth.
“We must, in this 2023, fashion a new Nigeria, Nigeria that will give the people equity, fairness, and justice.
“The PDP has failed Nigerians, APC has failed Nigerian, political parties have failed Nigerians, even Labour Party has failed Nigerians. So we must look at individuals, those people who can deliver.
“So, this is not about party, I’m not in Labour Party but I’m working for Peter Obi. Peter Obi will make sure that we sleep with our two eyes closed. These unnecessary killings that are going on in our country will stop.
“I have chosen to support him. I appreciate you all for choosing Peter Obi. Of the three presidential candidates, Peter Obi has the character, competence to lead Nigeria.”
Obi, who was unable to attend the meeting due to bad weather, promised he will do everything humanly possible to visit Benue before the elections.
In a three minutes live stream speech to the stakeholders, the Labour Party candidate, thanked the Benue people, particularly, Governor Ortom, for queuing behind him and assured that the effort of the people would not be in vain.
He assured Benue people that he will ensure they do not remain the same once he assumes office.