…..Screened and cleared by the PDP National Assembly screening committee to contest.

By Nathaniel Nongu, Benue.

The 2023 general election is gradually drawing nearer with specified timelines already stated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in line with the 2022 amended Electoral Act.

In compliance with the INEC guidelines and timelines, political parties have already scheduled primaries to choose candidates for the various elective positions beginning from next month May.

As at Tuesday, April 27, 2022 screening of aspirants on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP platform commenced and Governor Samuel Ortom who is seeking Benue North-West Senatorial mandate has been screened and cleared by the PDP National Assembly screening committee to contest on the party’s platform.

It is no longer news that Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom is in the race to represent Benue North-West Senatorial district in the upper chambers of the National Assembly. What is news however is the electoral appeal Governor Ortom’s ambition has continued to receive with endearing qualities that stand him tall in the race for the Zone B Senate seat.

Governor Ortom in his comportment as a leader has indisputably exuded courage and he is known to fearlessly speak out against injustice meted out on Nigerians not minding whose ox is gored. Across the nation, Ortom has become a voice of reason that has continually pricked the conscience of the Federal Government of Nigeria to live up its constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and property of citizens.

Having rendered selfless and patriotic leadership towards turning around the fortunes of Benue State, Governor Ortom at the expiration of his tenure, deserves to be offered another opportunity to foster his disposition to nation-building. As a courageous leader, Ortom will be a valuable asset in the Senate and would ensure his constituents and Nigerians in general are not shortchanged.

As someone who has dedicated his life in service to God and humanity, Governor Ortom will be a worthy representative of the people in the National Assembly. This writer is confident Ortom, when elected Senator, would bring his enormous wealth of experience to bear as a parliamentarian who will protect the common interest of his people and Nigerians.

Ortom who has risen from humble cradle to national eminence will not be a novice to the scheming and intrigues in the National Assembly towards ensuring that his people are not shortchanged in policies and programmes of government.

Elected first as council Chairman of Guma local government area of Benue State, Governor Ortom went on to serve as State Treasurer of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, State Secretary and Deputy Chairman as well as the National Auditor of Africa’s largest political party the PDP at various times. He was appointed Minister of Trade and Investment and was supervising Minister of Aviation during the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

He later resigned his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and contested for the Governorship office of Benue State and won by landslide on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2015. Governor Ortom sought a second turn in office and was reelected overwhelmingly in 2019 this time on the PDP platform, making history as the first Governor to win election on two different party platforms.

As Governor, Ortom has demonstrated unrelenting passion towards the socioeconomic transformation of Benue State despite the enormous challenges which have confronted his administration, especially insecurity with incessant unprovoked and coordinated attacks on Benue communities by armed herdsmen.

It is interesting to point out that even before Governor Ortom would declare his 2023 Senatorial ambition, several groups and individuals had prevailed on him to run for the Benue Zone B Senate seat, taking cognisance of the value that he would bring to bear as a parliamentarian, especially at the time the country needs men of raw courage like Ortom to address the plethora of issues that has continued to plague the nation.

For the people of Benue North-West Senatorial district, Governor Ortom’s race to the red chambers of the National Assembly must be supported to fruition so that he will have a platform to project and protect the interest of his people.

As the May 14, 2022 date for the Senatorial primaries of the PDP draws closer, the delegates must take a decisive stand with Governor Ortom who has time and again proven that the interest of his people is paramount.

Governor Ortom has never spared a moment to tell his inspiring story of the uncommon grace God has bestowed on him. Ortom as a man is work in progress, as such whenever the giants rise to hinder in any circumstance, God surely prevails to grant him victory. We are confident that come 2023 the ever sufficient grace of God will speak for Ortom whose pedigree to offer effective representation for his constituents is not in doubt.

Nathaniel Nongu, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the Governor on Media writes from Makurdi the Benue State capital.