Denies resigning from zoning committee.
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged presidential aspirants above the age of 70 years not to run but allow the younger ones capable and knowledgeable in modern trends to take over leadership of the country.
Speaking on when he hosted the trio of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed of Sokoto and Bauchi states respectively, who were in the state to consult with him on the consensus arrangement they initiated to trim down the number of presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ortom said, “Nigerians can testify that during their time at the federal level they did very well and delivered on their mandate.
“And today they are eminently qualified to lead this country. They are doing the right thing because divided we fall, united we stand. I want to encourage them to continue this advocacy and understanding and not just within them but with the other people. They have said they are visiting the other people including our southern brothers who have indicated interest to be president of this country. Let us work together. As PDP, even as opposition, we have set standard for the ruling party.
“That is why PDP is willing and ready to rescue Nigeria and then rebuild it. Truly, look at these three gentlemen, yesterday (Sunday), we had another gentleman from Rivers State, Governor Wike, who declared here in Benue State that he was going to seek the presidency.
“Look at these young men and compare them to the ancestors in APC that are seeking to be president of this country in a digital world. We should allow the young to grow. If I may quote one of my brother Governors, anybody who is above 70 years and wants to be president is an evil person who wants to ruin this country, he should desist.”
Earlier, speaking for the delegation, former Senate President, Saraki said the team was in the state to consult with the Benue State Governor on their resolve to ensure seamless consensus in the nomination of the party’s presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has said that he has no reason to resign as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zoning Committee ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He has maintained his resolve to complete the assignment without blemish saying “I have no reason to resign”.
The Governor was reacting to a news item credited to a faceless Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) led by one Yerima Shettima who had accused governor Ortom of compromising his position for receiving his Rivers state counterpart, Governor Nyesom Wike in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Wike was in Makurdi Sunday, March 28th where he declared his presidential ambition to contest for the 2023 presidential elections.
Shetima had alleged that the N200million naira donated by Governor Wike to help rebuild the burnt Katsina Ala and High Level Makurdi markets in Benue state was to compromise Ortom.
But in swift reaction, Ortom berated Shetima for being insensitive to the plight of the distressed people of Benue and wondered how a gesture to distressed people would compromise him.
The Governor stated: “I am shocked that some people can be insensitive to the plights of others who are distressed. What my brother Governor Wike did was to identify with our pains and offered succor to the best of his ability.”
He pointed out that he is only “first among equals and not a dictator to impose any idea on members of the PDP zoning committee” who he said “are distinguished Nigerians who have excelled in their careers in life. So for anyone or group to come out to suggest that one man will impose his will on the other 36 members is insulting.”
“Members of this committee will work out the best for this country and Nigeria will be better for the outcome of our assignment,” he stated.
On allegations that he was given money to influence him, Governor Ortom declared; “This is not the first time Wike will donate money to Benue State. Wike has been one of the people in this country who have contributed to the upkeep of the more than 1.5 million Benue people living in IDPs.”
He went on: “Wike has also donated money to other states including some in the north. That did not make news to this so called Arewa Youths. Besides, he is not the first presidential aspirant to come to Benue to identify with our plight.”
Governor Ortom continued, “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was in Benue to consult with us a couple of weeks ago and he donated the sum of N50million to the IDPs. Then, Shettima and his Arewa youths did not see anything wrong with that and they did not ask me to resign.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we, in Benue state have no hatred for any one of group of people . We will receive and accord due respect to any Presidential aspirant who come to consult us over his or her political ambition,” the governor maintained.
“So it is hypocritical for this faceless group to twist this narrative of Wike’s visit is unfair and uncharitable. We must be open to all so that we get the best out of many that have come out to rescue this country from the misery the APC government has put us into,” the governor maintained.
Ortom reiterated that he will carry out the assignment diligently, honestly and will be guided by a good sense of justice and fairness to all.
