From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Barely a week to the rescheduled Governorship election slated for March 18th, 2023, there is crack in the camp of the Young Progressives Party,YPP in Benue as the Governorship candidate Robert Orya and the party leadership are at daggers drawn.
Robert Orya, a former Managing Director, NEXIM Bank is insisting that he remains the Governorship candidate of the Party and vehemently disagrees on any merger with the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.
The Party executive led by Dr. Gwaduwe had at a Press conference in Makurdi on Friday, disclosed that they have gone into alliance with the Peoples’ Democratic Party,PDP Governorship candidate Titus Uba.
Dr. Gwaduwe opined that as far as the 2023 election is concerned, the party cannot make any impact, hence the need to align with the PDP.
Hear him,” As far as 2023 election is concerned we have been in the race but truthfully in war situation, knowing yourself and not knowing your enemy, a battle is lost. We have taken stock of ourselves vis-a- vis others that are contesting, we have counted our votes and know that we can garner over 100000 votes which may not be enough to win the election. We want to mitigate our disaster and not mortgage the development of the State
“We have decided to align with PDP in the Governorship election. The State has faced an existential war which the Governor has fought doggedly. If a general is retiring, his lieutenant should take over. As young people we believe in consistency of ideologies. We are out to contribute to building of the State and we will hold those benefiting from this gesture accountable. Alliance should not be parasitic but mutually beneficial. The party is supreme and this is established”,the party chair stressed.
Responding in a press statement signed by Akosu Emmanuel Lubem, Media Consultant to Chief Roberts Orya , YPP Governorship Candidate, described as ‘mischievous’, the endorsement of Uba, maintaining that it is an antics by some disgruntled elements of the YPP flying a kite and pretending to throw their weight behind the PDP Candidate come 18th March 2023.
He added that as the undisputable Governorship Candidate and leader of the YPP in Benue State the actions of these disgruntled elements is lacking in credibility, substance and moral leaning urging the Benue public to discard same as he from inception has resolved to go into the elections to allow the Benue People express their legimate franchise, choices and preferences as the final arbiter of their redemption and destiny, having undergone the inglorious years of PDP in the last 8years .
“ I am assuring you all that I am fully in the race and no manipulation can change it erase that
“As such the so-called officers or officials of the YPP that perpetrated such an illicit and undemocratic act of adopting Candidate (s) of another political party in a hotel room in Makurdi have simply murdered shame . Their sponsors or Patrons ought to have known that only desperation could have pushed them and the said officials to do such naked dance at the height of our electoral challenges”
The YPP Governorship Candidate noted that, the declaration by the so called exco of YPP is a total sham that fits into the description as a “ yahoo-yahoo “ act that cannot stand.
Chief Roberts Orya says his wealth of experience as champion of youth employment, women empowerment, economic expert and astute development banker of over 35 years cognate experience stands him out amongst others to champion and transform Benue State and improve the economic wellbeing of her People beyond 2023.
The Former MD NEXIM Bank called on Benue citizens to shun all desperate antics employed by rejected and desperate politicians who are hell-bent to reap from the towering manifesto of the YPP that has come to salvage and redeem the palatable story of Benue for Good through robust leadership championed by a seasoned technocrat and tested administrator, Chief Roberts Orya.
