The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State yesterday concluded its campaign tour of the Benue North East Senatorial District by receiving the largest number of decampees from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into its fold in Logo.
The venue for the event was the LGEA Primary School, Ugba, the headquarters of Logo local government area where Governor Gabriel Suswam hails from.
Chieftains of the party including its governorship and senatorial candidates, Chief Dr Ortom and Senator Barnabas Gemade were pleasantly surprised.
It was the climax of the tour of the seven local government areas visited in the district during which several thousands had decamped into the APC.
Leaders of those in Logo who renounced PDP membership and burnt their cards at the occasion, Mr Mike Kondoun, a former Logo council chairman, and Mr James Anbua, who won election into the Benue State House of Assembly under the aborted Abacha transition program, explained that they left the party in solidarity with Chief Dr Ortom and Senator Gemade.
The legislator expressed excitement at the development recalling that in 1998 he was the one who persuaded majority of Logo people who were in the All Peoples Party, APP, to switch over to the PDP stressing that history was repeating itself as the APC which they had joined had become the preferred choice of most Nigerians.
Senator Gemade said he had special affinity with the people of the area which started from his father adding that he would always carry them along in whatever he does.
State APC chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, said the large turnout and defection at the occasion was an indication that Governor Suswam was not on ground in his home.
He stated that it was common knowledge that the ruling party was training 750 militia known as Joint Civilian Task Force to rig the forthcoming election stressing however, that the party was ready to match force with force if the need arose.
Comrade Yaro and other speakers urged the electorate to obtain, secure and effectively utilize their permanent voters cards to bring change through the ballot and thereafter protect their votes.
Addressing the rally Chief Dr Ortom stated that having been raised from humble beginnings he was acquainted with the problems of the people and would collaborate with them to tackle the challenges if he was elected.
He lamented the misplaced priorities of the first family in the state in the face of non payment of salaries and pensions promising that his administration would be different.
The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment assured that the APC government under General Muhammadu Buhari would restore sanity in the society by checking corruption.
According to Chief Dr Ortom the manifesto of the party contains provisions to probe questionable acquisition of wealth and property including media houses and schools adding that those who have such may have cause to worry.