Ortom is vying for a second term on the platform of the People’s Democratic party (PDP).
Addressing the crowd that thronged the IBB Square to welcome the candidate, Ortom said “Benue do not vote for those who will change the narrative of our killings for their selfish interest. I wonder how a Benue indigene will come out and say Benue killings are done by Benue people! We must defend our land fiercely.
“Benue in my time will witness progress and stability. Some elements in the opposition are saying I have achieved nothing. May be they are induced by intoxicating substance.
“I have recorded milestones in Education, Health, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Labour relations, Traditional institution etcetera. Some people say I am stubborn, but I am not stubborn because I am only working for the good of my people who voted for me overwhelmingly.
“I can’t abandon them because that will be callous and irresponsible. I love you not because I need you. But I need you because I love you. I was smelling victory but now I can see victory.
The Bible says better is the end of a thing than the beginning.”
Also speaking, the former Senate President, David Mark said, the mammoth crowd at the IBB square is an indication that PDP is going to produce the next Governor who has been working hard to defend Benue people and this is the time to pay him.
He said a vote for PDP is a vote for peace, progress, and defence of our ancestral home, he urged PDP supporters not to divide their votes for other political parties.
Former senator and political leader of Benue State, Iorchia Ayu said PDP is back in full swing like when it started in 1998. “I am sure we will win and return Ortom to government house and all the Assembly members on PDP platform will be returned to the house. We have to work hard, but don’t be scared by anyone,” he noted.
He said, “My friend Atiku Abubakar is the next President of Nigeria, he is a Benue man in his heart. He has promised us that if elected, there shall be no killings like in Buhari administration. Vote Atiku to wipe all the tears”.
The Flag-Off was crowned with the presentation of the party’s Flag to Governor Ortom and all the PDP House of Assembly candidates from the 23 LGAs by the party’s state chairman, John Ngbede as symbol of authority and victory.
Speaking, Member representing Buruku at the federal constituency and the party’s Flag bearer for zone B Senate, Oker Jev said that, 98% of votes for APC in 2015 came from zone B, but the same zone is now saying the broom has scattered (Chancha sough).
“This is the worst camp in the world history. This is the time for us to prove to the world that we are the same people who resisted conquest 200 years ago. We are going to win because it was not federal might that helped us to win in 2015,” Buruku said.
The former Governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam celebrated victory ahead and reminded all that what is on the ballot is not PDP or APC or SDP or any political party but rather, what is on the ballot is the survival of our state and ourselves.
He stressed that voting APC is as good as jeopardizing with the future of Benue people which is dangerous.The firs ballot matters a lot. It determines what happens to the rest of the candidates. So, vote wisely for PDP on the 16th February,2019 for Atiku Abubakar,
he emphasized.
Former minister for interior and the Senate flag bearer of the party, Aba Morro urged all the people of zone ‘C’ to support Governor Samuel Ortom reelection. Everyone deserves a second chance. So, you deserve it too because you will do better in your second term. Benue zone C, time has come for us to stop experimenting with governance, he added.
The Devil you know is better than the Angel you don’t know. Zone C is going to vote for Ortom more than any other zone in Benue state. This will be confirmed when votes will be counted because there is going to be competition, he stated.
