2023: Ortom set to retire to Senate
From Ogundele Olanrewaju
Like some of his former colleagues, Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom seemed determined to retire to the upper chamber of National Assembly, the Senate after the end of his tenure in 2023.
On Monday, a group which described itself as Patriotic Alliance Yearning for ORTOM 2023 #PAYORTOM2023 and a group of elders from the Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association, MINDA the Governor’s locality in Benue, presented Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Expression of Intent and Nomination Forms for Senate to Ortom in Makurdi.
The group under the leadership of the senior special assistant to the governor on local government administration, Hon. Prince Aondona Isaka Ornguga join MINDA Elders on a walk round Makurdi metropolis before presenting the forms to the Governor.
According to the group, the purchase of forms and subsequent presentation is in continuation of calls on Ortom to contest for the Benue North West Senatorial seat popular called “Zone B” in the 2023 general elections.
Receiving the forms, Governor Ortom said he was overwhelmed and humbled over the honour done him and pledged to represent the people well and speak for them without fear or favour, stressing that he will represent the interest of his constituents first and Nigeria at large.
Speaking to newsmen, the coordinator of Patriotic Alliance Yearning for Ortom 2023, Hon. Prince Aondona Isaka Ornguga thanked the Minda elders for the honour done the governor and for standing by him always.
The former senior special assistant to the governor on youth mobilization said members of the group are going to mobilize support for Ortom and PDP across the length and breath of the seven local government areas that make up zone B.
He said this was because the governor has demonstrated competence and love for his people by standing firm against the calculated agenda of enemies of the state to take over their lands and his landmark achievements in the construction of rural and township roads in Zone B and Benue at large.
Also on Monday, the Chairman of the PDP in Benue, Mr John Ngbede, presented a new party membership card to Ortom at Government House, Makurdi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the PDP Chairman said Ortom need the new membership card to fill his Senate nomination form.
He advised other members to go to the state secretariat of the party and purchase their membership cards at the cost of N150.00 each.
Responding, Ortom said that he remained committed to the PDP because of its quality policies, and added that Nigerians should join forces with the party to rescue the country.
“Nigerians should rise up to their responsibility of rebuilding the country.
“The past generation has destroyed the country and it behooves on those who are living to rebuild it,” he said.
The governor appreciated the party leadership for issuing him a new card.
He however said that if the party had asked him and his appointees to go to their council wards and register, they would have obeyed because the party was supreme.
