Benue South Gives Reasons Why It Should Produce Governor In 2023

MAKURDI – Stakeholders in the Benue South senatorial district (Zone ‘C’) have urged the state governor, Samuel Ortom, and other key players in the state’s political landscape to ensure that the state’s next governor emerges from the zone in 2023.

The stakeholders, led by the Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), made the call last weekend when they marched peacefully to the state government house in Makurdi to press their demands.

The group, led by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Monday Morgan, noted that Zone ‘C’ had yet to produce a governor 46 years after the state was established, necessitating the need to support someone from the region for the position.

“Nasarawa state rotates its governorship among the three senatorial zones; Plateau, Kogi, and Taraba state do the same, and all the adjoining North-Central states do the same,” Morgan said in delivering the Zone ‘C’ message to Governor Ortom. Why is it that the state of Benue refuses to abide by democratic norms?”

He went on to say that the people of the area were fighting for the job because “the time has come for our man from Zone ‘C’ to mount the instrument of power in Benue state beginning in 2023.”

“We know you (Ortom) as a man of conscience, a man who has the courage to do the unexpected to bring people together. We know you to be a person of integrity and fairness, and we believe that no matter how much pressure you face, you will not yield to forces that believe one tribe should rule in perpetuity.”

Governor Ortom, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Benson Abounu, responded by saying that the people’s wishes and aspirations were just, right, and proper.

“Your aspirations are just because Benue state will be a place where every citizen of the state will have a place that he can call his own under my watch,” he says.

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“My administration, which is founded on God, has always sought fairness, equity, and justice, and it is in this regard that I have worked to make history on various fronts in Benue’s 46-year history.”

“One of them is the appointment of a female as the Head of Service (HoS) of Benue State, and she came from Zone ‘C’. It is in this spirit that I made history by appointing a person from Zone ‘C’ as Chief Judge of Benue State for the first time in the state’s history.

“And, for the first time, an Igede man was appointed as the Auditor General of Benue State, indicating that my administration values inclusivity; that everyone, including Zone ‘C,’ deserves a place of belonging.” As a result, when it comes to deciding who will be Governor in 2023, I will continue to advocate for fairness, equity, and justice.”

Governor Ortom reminded AVM Morgan that when he led members of BRM to him earlier, he told them that the process of electing a Governor is not solely his responsibility.

“There are factors to consider, and you must consult widely,” he said, “and there are two fronts to consult: one is the traditional kingdom, and the other is the political class.”

“You must meet with the political class; you must meet with the traditional kingdoms’ leadership, and you must recognize that this is not a one-man show, so you must continue to meet with these people, and one of these institutions is the ‘Ijir Tamen,’ Tiv land’s highest decision-making body.”

“In the name of fairness, equity, and justice,” Ortom said, “you must eat and allow your brother to eat; in Tiv language, it is known as ‘ya, na angbian.’

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Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prince Onu, said that politics is a numbers game, and that the people of Benue North-East and Benue North-West senatorial districts have numerical strength.

In the interest of equity and fairness, he argued that the two senatorial districts should support Zone ‘C’ to produce the next governor, adding that the zone would not fail the state.

“Politics is a numbers game,” he says, “and our brothers in Zones ‘A’ and ‘B’ have the numerical advantage.” So, what are your expectations? Political ideology is based on numerical strength, which they possess.

“All we have to do now is negotiate for power; to extend hands of fellowship and friendship to them and ask for power, and we assure you that the people of Zone ‘C’ will not fail Benue state.”