In what appears to be moving against the preferred choice of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, Benue South PDP prominent members have thrown their weight behind the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
A few days ago, Ortom declared support for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. He also declared, while meeting the leadership of the Igbo community in Benue State, that a broad spectrum of people in the state preferred Obi.
But on Thursday, PDP faithful in Benue South Senatorial District led by former former Senate President, David Mark, rose from a stakeholders meeting in Otukpo to formally endorse the candidature of Atiku Abubakar.
The meeting was held in the Otukpo country home of Mark.
The PDP stakeholders resolved to vote for Abubakar on the premise that their interest will be better served under his presidency.
“They distanced themselves from those campaigning for candidates of other political parties, saying, they cannot be faithful members of the PDP and be seen to be working for candidates of other political parties,” a statement by Mark’s spokesman, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said.
The statement adds: “They therefore urged all party members not to be distracted by the antics of a few but should go all out to vote for candidates of the PDP in the February 25, 2023 and March 11, 2023 elections.
“Addressing the stakeholders drawn for the nine local government areas making up Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Mark told them to be faithful to PDP “because it makes no sense for people to be jumping from one party to the other.”
“He said political parties are vehicles for achieving ones political ambition that must of a necessity be held sacrosanct obeying the rules and regulations.
“Senator Mark frowned at those who jump from one party to the other saying “they are people without conviction or do not know what they really want”.
“Current Benue south Senator Abba Moro urged the party faithful to remain steadfast with the PDP.”
Recall that Ortom on Monday announced that he was ready to sacrifice his senatorial ticket, if need be, for Obi.
Ortom challenged the Igbos in Nigeria to seize the opportunity of Saturday’s election to vote Obi, adding that prominent Igbos opposing Obi should be treated as outcasts.
According to Ortom, “I know that if people are connected in this world, it is the Igbos. This is an opportunity you have to say that an Igbo man from the South East is President because some of us believe in the unity of Nigeria.
“We believe in working together. That is why we accommodate everybody here. We believe in the unity of this country and so let us not miss this opportunity that God himself is providing.”
“The youth have told me, my own people have told me, stakeholders here, traditional rulers, party people across party lines that Obi’s matter is not about PDP, APC or SDP or any other political party. It is about Nigeria.”
He further told the Igbo leaders,”You are many. You have the population and thank God that what is unfolding, Peter Obi is someone that is not bonded by ethnicity and that is why when I hear some prominent Igbo personalities castigating Peter Obi for contesting election, i feel sad.”
He asked, “is it not you Igbos that are lamenting that you have been marginalized since after the war? An opportunity has come today and you are still complaining? What do you want? What are you looking for? What do you want? The whole country North, South, East and West are saying that Peter Obi and you hear some people saying we don’t want it “haba” those people should be outcast,” the governor stated.
