Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Nyesom Wike has never abandoned Benue in its trying moments thus, he has chosen to continue to stand with him.
Ortom stated this Sunday night, November 6, 2022, at a Cocktail party and Command performance in honour of Governors Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), held at the new Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
He, therefore, assured that he cannot abandon Governor Wike for whatsoever reason in the current crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
The four PDP Governors led by Governor Wike are in Benue State to commission some projects executed by the Ortom-led administration and to also lead in the flag-off of the PDP campaigns in the state scheduled for Monday, November 7, 2022.
While welcoming his guests, Governor Ortom described Wike as a man, who stood with Benue during its trying moments when the State was under siege by Fulani terrorists.
According to Ortom; “Many have wondered why I have chosen to swim with Wike. Many have wondered why I have chosen to walk with him in the midst of storms and threats and also fire and brimstone. Many have wondered, but I still remember him. This is the man who stood with us during our trying moments.
“He came out and did not fear the threats about federal might and what have you. I will stand with him and I remain with him because I am not a betrayer,” he said. Ortom thanked his colleagues for standing with him and joining him to commission some of the projects his administration has executed and to flag off the PDP campaigns in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He also thanked the Wike-led governors for standing for justice, equity, and fairness, adding; “We are where we are today as a nation because we have refused to respect the rule of law to ensure justice, equity, and fairness for all in our country”.
Ortom noted that Wike, who is a chieftaincy title holder in Tivland as the ‘Igyuve I Tiv,’ was the first person to come out and roar when he was attacked by the Fulani terrorists.
He further said; “Wike told Nigerians that if you kill Ortom, you have killed Nigeria. Wike was very firm in condemning that attack. So, we appreciate him. Here is a man that did not keep quiet when Benue State was in turmoil and Benue State was in travails. When Benue State was under siege and challenged by the same Fulani herdsmen.
“Wike came out, brought stakeholders from Rivers State and offered solidarity and faith with Benue people and gave his commitment. As if that was not enough he committed money. Subsequently, the money Wike committed to offering several unsolicited interventions to Benue was over 700 million Naira,” he said.
Ortom emphasized that other countries have moved to the stage they are now because they upheld the rule of law and tenets of democracy.
Speaking on behalf of his team, Governor Wike described the group as “integrity Governors” who are committed to seeking justice, equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in the affairs of the PDP.
In the words of Wike; “The way we are, people are trying to see how they can break us, but they cannot. We are bonded to save Nigeria”.
While appreciating the honour done to his team by the Benue State Government, Wike said; “I thank all of you for this honour you have done to all of us, the integrity Governors. These are Governors who can come out and tell you black is black, yes is yes”.
“Leadership is about integrity” and anyone who does not show integrity should not be trusted as the national leadership of the PDP is doing”.
Wike, who described Ortom as a “good man”, charged the people of the state to support him, noting that he has stood for his people.
A statement by Nathaniel Ikyur, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ortom, said those that graced the event included former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, the State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of the PDP, Hon. Titus Uba, Senator Abba Moro, and other members of the National Assembly as well as members of the State Executive and Security Councils and party stalwarts.
