Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom has stated that Governor Gabriel Suswam’s maladministration has made it easier for change to take place in the state.
He spoke at his grand reception and unveiling as APC governorship candidate at the Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi on Tuesday.
“A situation where he cannot pay workers and teachers’ salaries as well as pensions to our fathers and mothers provides an enabling environment for change to take place,” he stressed.
According to him the protracted strike by primary school teachers and academic staff of five tertiary institutions in the state coupled with the closure of the state’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has swelled the ranks of those ready to vote out the party that has ruled the state since 1999.
“I’m here to bring that change, APC will do the change,” he stated.
“At the national level the people are yearning for change in favor of Buhari, a man that has integrity and can deliver, a man that will fight corruption.”
The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment said with his experience of service at all tiers of government he was conversant with the challenges, yearnings and aspirations of the people and prepared to address them.
He promised to anchor his administration on the fear of God which he said would entrench core values including transparency, accountability, selflessness, justice, equity, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and unity which he said would usher in development.
Chief Dr Ortom promised to partner with the private sector to introduce agriculture-based industrialization that will add value to primary products and create jobs, wealth and opportunities, as well as provide an enabling environment for commercial activities and investment into the state to thrive.
Those who spoke for the various senatorial districts in the state including Lawrence Ode, Benue South, Iorwase Hembe, member of the House of Representatives, Benue North East, and Rhoda Ako, Benue North West appealed to the electorate to vote APC candidates and also guard their votes against rigging.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Dr. George Akume, represented by his wife, Chief Mrs. Regina Akume, JP, presented Chief Dr. Ortom, his running mate, Engr. Benson Abounu, and Mrs. Eunice Ortom to the audience through APC state chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro.