Benue: We’re now stronger, better with Gov Ortom as leader – PDP chair, Ngbede

State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Benue State, Sir John Ngbede has said, the party is now stronger and more coordinated with Governor Samuel Ortom as its leader.

Mr. Ngbede made this disclosure Tuesday at the secretariat of the party when he received the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Terver Akase, who was in his office to seek the permission of the State Working Committee (SWC) to enable him commence consultations with party stakeholders ahead of the 2023 governorship election.

While acknowledging the involvement of the State Working Committee in all decisions that have been taken by the present administration since Gov Ortom rejoined the party in 2018, which has turned the party into one big, united and coherent family, Sir Ngbede held that, a close appointee of the governor such as Mr. Akase should do well as governor, noting, Akase is a brilliant gentleman and has all that it takes to step into the shoes of his boss.

The Chairman further reiterated the resolve of the party to the tenets of equity, justice and fairness as enshrined in the constitution of the PDP and encouraged Mr. Akase to openly canvass for the support of leaders and critical stakeholders of the party, saying, power comes from God.

Earlier in his address, Mr Terver Akase, who was accompanied on the visit by his wife and other friends and associates, told the SWC that, he had come before them to seek their blessings and permission to contest for the 2023 governorship election on the party’s platform.

Mr. Akase, who thrilled the members of the SWC with his oratory and thorough and elaborate knowledge of governance and public administration, had said, having served His Excellency Gov Samuel Ortom since the inception of the current administration in 2015, he was fully acquainted with the internal workings of government and will uphold the tenets of a democratic government, if given the opportunity by the party.

He further emphasised that, haven read the blueprints of previous administrations from the late Aper Aku to the present, he is very conversant with the challenges facing the people of the state, saying, his role as governor shall be to galvanise the necessary manpower to tackle those challenges.

On security, Mr Akase revealed that, he shall intensify the enforcement of all the security laws already in place in the state and held that, his administration, if elected, shall not cede any part of the state to its invaders, using the same courage and commitment that his boss has demonstrated.

Highlight of the event was the observation of a minute silence in honor of Elder Megida Echono, an uncle to the state Chairman of the party who died on Monday, with prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul said by Pastor James Atsor, a former member of the Benue State House of Assembly, who also accompanied Mr Akase on the visit.