2019: Ortom receives Ichaver, Avur, others to PDP

By Jimin Geoffrey

Governor Samuel Ortom in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area received thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC, into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Monday December 24th, 2018.

They were led by former chieftains of the APC from Kwande, Elders Jonathan Ichaver and Charles-Mary Avur.

Receiving the defectors, Governor Ortom charged them to work relentlessly in mobilising support for the election of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as President of Nigeria and return him as Governor in 2019.

He also charged them to vote for the Benue North East senatorial candidate of the PDP, Dr. Gabriel Suswam and Mr. Bob Tyough, PDP House of representatives candidate for Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency as well as all candidates of the PDP in the 2019 polls.

The Governor urged Benue people to remain resolute and confront the gang up against them by voting out the APC-led federal government, stressing that Atiku Abubakar as President would better protect the interest of Benue people.

He stated the the overwhelming support he got from members of the PDP during the gubernatorial primaries was a call for better service delivery, pointing out that he would not disappoint the trust reposed in him.

Governor Ortom charged Benue electorate not to be intimidated during the election but vote and protect their votes jealously in order to secure their future.

As leader of the PDP in the state, Governor Ortom acknowledged the support he had so far enjoyed from other leaders of the party in the state including former presidents of the senate, Senators David Mark and Iyorchia Ayu as well as former Governor Gabriel Suswam among others.

Former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs. Magret Ichen and zonal vice chairman of the PDP, Mr. Azua Ashungu, while handing over the defectors to the Governor, pledged their commitment to the reelection of Governor Ortom and the election of all PDP candidates in 2019.

Elders Jonathan Ichaver and Charles-Mary Avur while expressing their disenchantment with their former party, said the Governor had been unjustly persecuted for standing firm in defense of his people, noting that would support him to salvage the state.