2019: Ortom Retains Deputy as Running Mate

The question as to who is the running mate to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has been settled as he announced that he is still with his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu, in next year’s general elections.

This is just as members of the party have pledged to sustain their support for the governor and other candidates of the party to secure victory in the 2019 elections.

Governor Ortom made the announcement Monday during an extraordinary meeting of the PDP held in Government House, Makurdi.

He said it became necessary to end speculations that he might be contesting with another running mate other than Abounu.

Ortom also called on politicians especially those who contested for elective positions to allow the will of God to prevail in their lives rather than insisting that they must have their own way at the detriment of the generality of the Benue people.

The governor announced that there would be elaborate reconciliation programmes for PDP members especially those that contested and lost at the primaries saying it was better to work together.

According to him, the reconciliation team with three persons from each of the senatorial zones in the state would be constituted as part of the party’s integration programme, urging party faithful to live above board.

He thanked all PDP faithful for the warm reception accorded him on his return to the party and requested that the idea of new and old members of PDP should be discarded.

Earlier, Senator David Mark had described Ortom as a dependable and reliable ally and assured his of total support and victory come 2019.

He said the governor boosted his moral by accompanying him to the podium to address delegates at the last PDP convention in Port Harcourt making him the only aspirant to have enjoyed such privilege.

Speaking on behalf of PDP governorship aspirants, Prof. David Ker, promised to work with Ortom who is the party’s flag bearer, to enable the party clinch power at the general elections come 2019. He also thanked the Party’s leadership for recognising them.