Disqualification rumour: Samuel Ortom still our guber candidate in Benue -APC

Contrary to the rumors making the rounds, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has neither replaced nor disqualified All  Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Dr Samuel Ortom during his visit to Benue State earlier today.

He met stakeholders at the J S Tarka Foundation in Makurdi and I was present at the interactive session.

Professor Jega spoke for 13 minutes and 19 seconds after which several speakers including General Lawrence Onoja, Senators George Akume and Barnabas Gemade, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Rt. Hon Dave Iorhemba, and Dr Cletus Tyokyaa made remarks.

The INEC chairman appealed to the people of the state to eschew violence in the forthcoming elections pointing out that Benue recorded the highest incidence of polls disruption and burning of offices in the country.

He stressed that only card readers would be used for accreditation on Saturday.
Those who spoke had condemned violence and advocated peaceful polls.
While Dr Agbo called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Professor Istifanus Dafwang, Professor Hagher differed and said he should remain.
Professor Jega did not comment on the request for the removal neither did he mention the disqualification of any candidate.