Council polls: Why i won’t impose candidates on people – Gov. Ortom

By Jimin Geoffrey

Ahead of the forthcoming council polls in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom says he won’t impose any candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Governor Ortom gave the assurance on Friday at the PDP state secretariat Makurdi while addressing the expanded caucus meeting of the party.

He stated that respect for zoning was the only thing that could engender unity and team spirit in the party, stressing that stakeholders from the 23 local government areas should deliberate on the zoning arrangement and submit their reports to the party secretariat for consideration.

The Governor maintained that any contestant who is not from where the position of Chairman or Councillor is zoned should not bother to contest, saying such an aspirant would be disqualified by the party during screening.

He warned against imposition of candidates for the council polls in whatever guise, pointing out that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail to save the party from implosion.

Governor Ortom also declared that he would not anoint a candidate for the seat of Governor of the state come 2023, urging PDP members and other Benue people to regard anyone who claims to be his ‘anointed’ candidate as a liar.

He expressed optimism that PDP would emerge victorious from the November 2019 local government election.

State Chairman of the PDP, Sir John Ngbede, who read the electioneering itinerary of the party to stakeholders, heeded the Governor’s call for extension of time for one week, stressing that apart from the expression of interest form, nomination form for female aspirants would be free.