Members of the Guma Traditional Council have unanimously endorsed Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom, for the governorship position in Benue State in 2015.
They made the endorsement at the Makurdi residence of the second class traditional ruler of the area, Chief Joseph Ivokor Unongo with an appeal to the entire people of the state to support Chief Dr. Ortom to clinch the position.
The endorsement was closely followed by a pledge by major Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders from Guma that they would also support Chief Dr. Ortom to win the primaries as well as the general election.
Chief Unongo stated that although the minister hailed from the most disadvantaged part of the local government area it pleased God to raise and equip him with the requisite capacity and experience to be Governor of the state.
He appealed to the aspirant to excel in service delivery to the people of the state in all sectors if given the mandate adding that if he did not justify the enormous goodwill and confidence reposed in him by the people of the state he would not live a happy life.
The royal fathers expressed appreciation to the Tiv Traditional Council for selecting Chief Dr. Ortom among the four recommended aspirants from the Minda axis pointing out that he had made Guma proud in every leadership position he held.
Speaking earlier Chiefs Joseph Cheku, Gideon Tyev, and William Ato who spoke for Isherev, Utyondo and Nongov respectively stated that Chief Dr. Ortom’s selection indicated that the fear of God and committed service were still being cherished.
They recalled that while he served as council chairman he excelled leaving behind enduring legacies and winning awards as well as ensured harmonious working relationship between the two political parties of the time.
The royal fathers appealed to the aspirant to further upgrade the traditional institution if given the made.
At the Makurdi residence of Chief Dr. Ortom, Guma PDP stakeholders expressed happiness that he was one of those chosen to contest the primaries and assured him of their support.
Those who spoke for the various segments of the local government area and pledged support included Cletus Upaa, Ate Mbabai, Moses Anageende, as well as PDP local government chairman in the area, Mr. Athanasius Atemakaa.
They said the minister was God fearing, experienced in political and public affairs at all level as well as an entrepreneur who could deploy his wealth of experience to improve the lives of the people of the state.
Speaking with both groups Chief Dr. Ortom pledged that if given the mandate he would bring the fear of God to bear on governance which would translate to wisdom for statecraft, justice, transparency, accountability, selflessness, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The minister said that those core values would engender unity, peace and accelerated development of the state.
He stated that his priorities would include attraction of private sector investments into the state, resuscitation of moribund industries and establishment of new ones particularly in agro processing in a bid to tackle poverty and unemployment.
Chief Dr. Ortom assured that wealth and opportunities would also be created through an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in the state, while he would consolidate on all gains recorded by Governor Gabriel Suswam and seek to add value on all sectors.
Signed:
Tahav Agerzua,
Media Adviser,
Ortom Governorship Organization.
Makurdi, 26th July, 2014.