‘End Of Godfatherism,’ Ortom Says As He Emerges Benue PDP Guber Candidate

Governor Samuel Ortom has emerged as the 2019 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.

Ortom emerged the party’s candidate after polling the total of 2,210 votes to defeat his closest rival, John Tondu, who polled 475 votes.

The returning officer, Hajia Zainab Maina who announced the result said, “The election was conducted in line with laid down rules and procedures”.

Speaking after the result was announced, Ortom said his emergence as the PDP flagbearer marked the end of “godfatherism” in the state.

He also called on the people of Benue to join hands with the PDP to rescue the country from bad leadership.

“I call on Benue people and all Nigerians to join hands with the PDP, having apologised for the wrongs of the past, so we can rescue this country.

“I was in sojourn in APC and there it was very difficult for me to exercise my responsibility, but here I am, now a free man. This marks the end of politics of godfatherism in Benue.

“The government of Benue state shall be run by the People, where everyone shall be stakeholders, all hands must be on deck, to move the state forward”, the Governor said.

Recall that Ortom had in July dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP.

Ortom had claimed the lack of internal democracy within the ranks of the party in the state, amongst many other reasons for his decision to leave the APC.