The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has congratulated incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom on his re-election as Governor of Benue state.
The party has also called on all stakeholders, particularly those who contested with him to shun any form of litigation for the overall development of Benue.
The Chairman of the party, Mr. John Ngbede stated this in a congratulatory message signed by the State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Bemgba Iortyom.
Ngbede, who expressed ultimate gratitude to God for making possible the peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections also congratulated the good people of Benue State for their distinct show of maturity in staying on the path of peace throughout the period of the elections despite efforts from certain quarters targeted at instigating strife and rancour.
He said the victory handed to the PDP by Benue people in 2019 ranks in historical significance to that won by the blacks in Apartheid South Africa, the Abolitionist movements in the United States of America and the protagonists of the Arab Spring in the Middle East.
He said the victory will forever be contained in the chronicles of Nigeria’s political history that in 2019 Benue people across social, religious and tribal lines, Ibo, Youruba, Hausa, Igala, Nupe, Jukun, and others, joining forces with the indigenes, voted in overwhelming majority to keep power in the hands of a Governor and a political party which stood up for them against a federal government.
He said, “Benue people in 2019 have voted to keep power in the hands of Governor Samuel Ortom and the PDP at all levels of political leadership representation.
“This is an article of faith which in the next four years will be treated with all sense of due diligence and seriousness.
“Benue PDP congratulate her own very distinguished followership; the leaders, elders, women and youths, who worked tirelessly with unwavering loyalty to achieve the landmark victory at the 2019 polls.
READ ALSO: Dickson Declares Three-Day Mourning, As Foremost Poet, Okara, Dies
He maintained that the result of the 2019 elections represents the fruits of the revitalisation work which was started in 2015 by committed loyalists after the party lost power at the elections of that year.
“Today the people of Benue State have enacted a fresh pact with PDP, a pact of trust and partnership in the expression of faith that what lies ahead is by far greater than that which is in the past.
He therefore called all stakeholders to the Benue project to heed the call to reconciliation and mutual co-operation made by Governor Samuel Ortom in his speech accepting the mandate to serve the people for another tenure of four years.
He particularly enjoined all who aspired to lead the people of Benue in the various elective offices at the just concluded elections to put the polls where they now belong, in the past, and to train their sights on the Benue project.
Ngbede said in turning around from their various positions and embracing one another, they would be fast-tracking the process of tackling the arrears of development staring the state in the face.
“In making this call we are mindful of the unfortunate events of 2011 when post election litigation bogged down the state government administration in power then, depriving the state of much needed attention for development.
“We therefore extend this olive branch to our opponents whom we respect for the quality of the electoral contest and enjoin them to, while maintaining their identities where they do not see a need to cross over to our side, at least allow healthy space for the thriving of developmental governance in the best interests of Benue.
