George Okoh in Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has asked the people of the state to forgive him wherever he went wrong in the cause of his administration, adding that he has forgiven those who also offended him.
The governor further stated that he has also withdrawn a case at the state electoral tribunal challenging his senatorial defeat by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor, who spoke at a press conference at the Benue People’s House in Makurdi, said: “As a key political player in Benue State, whose career has spanned over 40 years, the grace of God has taken him to key positions at the local, state and national levels within which period I rose to become a local government chairman, state secretary, state deputy chairman and national auditor of PDP, minister of the federal republic and now I am a two-term governor.”
He said he would forever remain grateful to Almighty God and the people of Benue State, adding: “God’s mercy and blessings have indeed enabled me to attain these heights.”
Ortom commended the Benue people who went out to vote during the elections, adding that despite the glaring provocation and intimidation by the federal might, people still came out to support him.
According to him, “Though there was glaring evidence of malpractices, including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West senatorial election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal.”
He said the decision to withdraw his case from the court is in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of his party, the PDP.
“As a leader of the PDP, I will continue to support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it bounce back
from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment,” he stated.
