From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday declared his intention to contest another term in office 2019.
The Governor made the declaration yesterday at Government House, Makurdi when stakeholders from 13 local government areas of the State consisting of four local governments of MINDA Makurdi, Guma, Gwer and Gwer West in Benue North West senatorial district and nine (9) council areas from Benue South senatorial district came to endorse him for a second term.
Ortom had some time ago, told journalists that he will consult God in December and then formally declare his second term ambition in January 2018.
However, in a twist of events, he stated clearly yesterday before a large crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters that he has already sought God’s face and will contest for a second term in 2019.
“I accept your endorsement. The voice of the people is the voice of God. I am more committed now than before to offer service to the people. I feel your pains and suffering, especially the civil servants and I am determined to offset the backlog of salaries owed workers of the state. I will not relent in eliminating ghost workers so as to bring down the wage bill of the State”, he promised.
On the anti-open grazing law, Ortom reiterated that it is not intended to chase away Fulani herdsmen, maintaining that it is meant to create harmony between herdsmen and farmers.
He therefore intimated that vigilante groups, as well as civilian Joint Task Force has been adequately mobilized to enforce the law to the latter.
Zonal Chairman of APC zone c Muhammad Hassan lauded the achievement of the Governor in the area of security particularly his courage to implement the anti-open grazing law, noting that he has written in his name in the sand of history and as such deserves another term in office.
