Governor Samuel Ortom has urged supporters of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and other residents of Makurdi to remain calm despite the provocation by some youths of All Progressives Congress, APC, who went on rampage, Wednesday, destroying billboards and posters belonging to PDP within Makurdi, the State capital.
Ortom in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase said Senator George Akume who propelled the youths to embark on the destruction of PDP campaign materials was only lamenting his defeat at last Saturday’s election by inciting youths to cause mayhem in Makurdi and other towns in the State.
According to him, since 1999, Dr George Akume had been winning elections but those he defeated never went on rampage in town to incite youths against him.
“They accepted defeat in good faith and those who were aggrieved took their cases to the election tribunal to seek redress.”
He stressed that for Senator Akume to lose the last election and choose to embark on destruction of campaign billboards and posters of his opponents thereby causing traffic problems in town, was quite unfortunate and regrettable.
The Governor said as a leader, Akume was expected to be a good example to the young generation by toeing the path of peace in the interest of the State.
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He advised Senator Akume and anyone else who wanted to destabilize Benue State to respect the rule of law and approach the courts if they feel aggrieved over results of the elections.
The Governor commended the people for restraining themselves from retaliating and urged the people of Makurdi to go about their normal activities as security operatives will arrest anyone found to be fomenting trouble.