Benue Guber Polls: LP, APP Back PDP Candidate, Titus Uba

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – In a clear demonstration of reciprocity to Governor Samuel Ortom’s open declaration of support for its candidate, Peter Obi during the February 25 presidential election, the Labour Party (LP) in Benue state has officially adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Mr Titus Uba as its preferred governorship candidate in the March 18 polls.

Coming less than 48 hours before the governorship and State Assembly elections, the Labour Party has also been joined by the governorship candidate of Action People’s Party (APP) in the state to pledge their support for the PDP flag bearer.

The State Chapter Chairman of LP, Ibrahim Otene, who spoke at the endorsement ceremony in Government House, Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Thursday, acknowledged that the Party’s support of Mr Uba for the gubernatorial poll was a payback for the collaboration its presidential candidate, Peter Obi enjoyed from the state PDP.

Mr. Otene, who was accompanied by members of the LP’s State Working Committee (SWC), explained that their action was in line with the directive from the National Secretariat of the party, adding; “The support Governor Samuel Ortom gave to our presidential candidate has to be reciprocated.

“The Governor stood for equity, fairness, and justice, and even risked his senatorial ambition for the Obi presidential bid”, the LP Chairman said, even as he also praised Mr Uba for his humility and synergy with other key players.

According to the Labour Party, they are quite optimistic that the PDP gubernatorial candidate would serve the state diligently and very well when given the mandate as the chief executive come Saturday, March 18, 2023.

In a related development, the governorship candidate of Action Peoples Party (APP), Terlumun Kwadzah, has also endorsed the PDP standard bearer, Mr. Uba to emerge victorious at Saturday’s poll.

Accompanied by some officials of APP and members of his campaign team to the Benue state Government House on Thursday, Mr. Kwadzah said his decision was premised on the fact that Governor Ortom has always stood firm to defend the Benue people despite all odds.

He said; “It is only right that those who understand the weight of the security challenges in the state should support Mr. Uba to continue from where Governor Ortom will stop.”

In his response, Governor Ortom thanked the two political parties for voluntarily deciding to endorse Mr. Uba to win the governorship election, assuring them that the PDP candidate, being an experienced lawmaker and administrator would not disappoint the Benue people.

On his part, the PDP governorship candidate appreciated the two political parties for the huge endorsements, pledging that by his election, the State government would further prioritize security and the overall economic well-being of the Benue people.