As political activities continue to steam up ahead of the 2023 general elections, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has urged Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, to cast their votes for patriotic individuals who would redeem the country and not for political parties.
The Governor gave the charge while addressing delegates at this year’s annual convention of the All Nations Evangelism Ministries, ANEM, held at the IBB Square Makurdi, with the theme, “Fresh Oil International Convention.”
He pointed out that the country was embroiled in multiple socio-economic and security challenges hence there was the compelling need for Christians to rise up to vote, and not according to political affiliation but for leaders with the interest of the nation at heart.
The Governor said, “the 2023 election is going to be different. We shall not be foolish enough to vote according to political parties. We shall vote in 2023 according to the election. Nobody should fool you.”
“You must save your future and that of your children. You must save the future of those going to Church, you can save the Churches. Vote for the candidate of your choice but let it be someone who will not work against you tomorrow. Don’t vote according to political parties. Let them not deceive us again.
“In 2023 we don’t just need a President, we need someone who will deliver us from insecurity, economic woes, diminishing social life, corruption, and all those things that are pulling us apart, because protecting the future of the country is key to our collective development.”
While warning Christians not to allow themselves to be deceived by those who do not mean well for the country, the Governor said “you must not be carried away by all kinds of falsehood, tricks and lies and deceit by those who do not mean well for us. Let nobody deceive you to vote against the collective interest of our nation. Pray to God and vote for the right candidates and I believe that God will answer us.”
The Governor also solicited the prayers of Christians to carry on in the daunting task of leading the state, noting that although it was not easy standing firm for the interest of his people, he believed that with prayers, he would not be deterred.
Addressing the gathering, General Overseer of ANEM, Archbishop Yiman Orkwar who noted that the country was in its “trying moment as a nation” challenged Christians to be vigilant and prayerful to uphold the nation.
Lamenting the state of the nation, the cleric said, “we have become fugitives in our land because of the insensitivity of the Federal Government to the plight of our people, but we must rise up in defence of our faith and protection of our people.”
While commending Governor Ortom for what he described as his “relentless commitment to the cause of the gospel and humanity even in the face of intimidation and threats to your life” Archbishop Orkwar urged the Governor not to give up assuring that the Church was standing with him in prayers.
2023: Benue Governor Ortom Raises Alarm Over PVC’s ‘Falling Into Wrong Hands’
Ahead next general elections, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has alleged that Permanent Voters Cards are already in the wrong hands in the country.
Governor Ortom made the allegation on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, while speaking at a Roundtable, “Contemporary Security Challenges and their effects on 2023 general elections,” organised by Platinum Post Newspaper.
Represented by Professor Magdalene Dura, Special Adviser on Millenium Development Goals, Governor Ortom decried a development where ” illegal migrants who crossed our borders with arms are also going to vote to decide who becomes President. There is a need for government to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.”
The Benue State Governor also expressed concern over the fate of over two million citizens of his state in Internally Displaced Persons, IDP’s, camps whom he noted have been rendered homeless as a result of the insurgency while he accused the federal government of focusing on people with similar predicament in the North East region.
He said:” There is a lack of equity and justice in Nigeria.
INEC needs to have comprehensive data on the IDPs so that they can create Polling Units for IDPs. Is it not possible for INEC to ensure that those displaced return to their homes to vote?
INEC must open discussions with IDPs to know what they need.”
Former Chief Security Officer and Presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, Major Al- Mustapha (retd), tasked Nigerians to take more than a passing interest in arms proliferation on the eve of a general election.
“As of today, all the agencies in Nigeria and I’m sure the representative of the Inspector General of Police, if he’s aware of what I’m going to talk about, new discoveries of movements of drugs, arms, are coming into Nigeria through numerous borders and in large quantities. I’m talking of now as I speak. But I’m sure society is not aware.
“The question, is at whose instance are these new weapons coming in? Why the increase? Who are the vendors? Who has sent it? Is it politicians? What is the plan, for an election hold? Has friction started between political parties and candidates and their supporters? “The question is who is sending the arms? To reinforce the insurgency or to reinforce the political side of it?
“This is as of now the major issue in the laboratory of national security management of Nigeria, as at now that I talked to you.”
Kano State Governor and Chairman on the occasion, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, commended the organisers for the choice of topic on the eve of a general election.
Represented by his Chief of Staff/ Head of Service, Usman Bala Mohammed, the Kano State Governor described the topic as very relevant against the prevailing mood on security challenges. Governor Ganduje however allayed the fears of Nigerians as he declared that security agencies were prepared for the task ahead of them.
He said:” The importance of the topic in relation to the nation’s current security situation in the face of an election cannot be over-emphasized. And more so, my state, Kano is among states in the federation, and particularly in the North that have had one security challenge or the other, which we have, with the will of God the Almighty, be able to surmount. Kano is now one of the most peaceful states in the federation.
“Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing the conduct of the 2023 general elections. Ensuring the safety and security of voters, election personnel, materials, candidates, party agents, observers, the media and transporters etc is paramount.
“The responsibility has become more challenging in the context of the current asymmetric security situation in the country. With about a few months until the next general elections, there is no better time for proactive measures than now to ensure that the nation is secure enough for elections to be held across the nooks and crannies of the country.
“However, despite the severity of the security challenges facing next year’s polls, I believe that the relevant security agencies have the potency to ensure that the process is made peaceful and secure by synergizing effectively, reviewing the operational strategies, and optimally deploying all their operational assets towards addressing current and evolving general security threats ahead of the elections.”
Edwin Olofu, the managing director/ Chief Executive Officer, Platinum Post, in his opening remarks spoke in a similar vein as he justified the choice of topic for the roundtable.
“This year’s theme: “Contemporary Security Challenges And Their Effects On The 2023 general elections,” is not only timely but very important considering the fact that there is a relationship between security and the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
“Going by the campaigns and debates on issues relating to the governance of the country by candidates of the leading political parties, there is no doubt that the election is potentially going to be the most keenly contested exercise in Nigeria’s political history.
“As members of the fourth estate of the realm, it is incumbent on us to mobilise the citizenry to prove the naysayers who are already instilling fears in the minds of the electorates that the election could be marred due to spate of violent crimes in parts of the country.
“The objective of the roundtable is to find answers to some nagging questions posed by the current security situation in the country and mobilise the electorate to exercise their franchise without let or hindrance.
“This Round Table highlights the need for government to sensitise the public on the power of voting, and the need to eschew violent conduct, before, during, and after the polls through effective media campaigns.”
Source: Vanguard
