By Emmanuel Antswen
Governorship aspirants in Benue under the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have entered into a strategic partnership to unseat the current occupant of the seat come 2027.
The governorship aspirants in their goodwill messages at the Benue PDP Expanded Caucus Meeting held in Makurdi agreed to rescue the state from undemocratic leadership.
They urged the people to forget their differences and vote to elect a new governor in 2027.
Mr Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, who is vying under APC, said that all the state needed was peace and tranquillity as 2027 approached.
Akutah stated that some persons in positions of authority were stoking embers of hate and discord.
“We cannot afford to be divided because division will not help us achieve this purpose. We have to work together.
“As an APC governorship aspirant, I am here today to show solidarity. Let us work together as people who want to reclaim this state from the hands of our enemies,” he said.
Prof. Sebastian Hon, SAN, another APC aspirant, said in his remarks that ‘Benue is facing an existential threat as a people’, adding that the people must not allow that to continue.
Hon pointed out that the most important function of any responsible government was protection of lives but expressed concern that insecurity was on the rise in the state.
“But what remains clear is that some people are unwilling to defend the people.
“I am excited that the PDP remains a strong opposition. What gives me even greater joy is the strategic partnership the PDP has formed,” he said.
Chief Michael Aondoakaa, former Attorney General of the Federation, who is jostling for the APC ticket, strongly condemned violent politicking in the state.
Aondoakaa told the people of the state to rise up and reject violent politics, which he described as alien to Benue.
He said the strategic partnership coordinated by Chief Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of the state, was a welcome development that all men of goodwill in the state must join with all sincerity.
Rev. Tor Ujah, former Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, a PDP aspirant, urged the people to do everything legitimate to rescue the state.
Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, a PDP aspirant, corroborated his colleagues’ saying that there was every need for the two parties to form a partnership to reclaim the state.
(NAN)