By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has stated that all aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who obtained the party’s forms and got screened would slug it out at the forthcoming primaries to secure the ticket of the party in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He assured all the aspirants in the primaries of fairness and transparency. 

Governor Ortom who gave the assurance at the enlarged caucus meeting of the party held Sunday in Makurdi pointed out that he had no anointed candidate for any of the elective positions. 

He stated that “in compliance with the amended Electoral Act, 2022, all aspirants who obtained nomination forms and have been screened are free to participate in the primaries.”

The Governor reaffirmed his readiness to support and work with candidates that emerge at the primaries, saying the victory of the party in the 2023 polls was his major concern.

He cautioned against blackmail, stressing that “no aspirant should think of using thugs to cause confusion during the party primaries because anyone caught will be decisively dealt with.”

Governor Ortom dispelled insinuations that the party was disunited in the state, pointing out that he enjoys a smooth working relationship with the National Chairman and all critical stakeholders of the party.

The Governor directed the party Chairman in the state to furnish all aspirants with the comprehensive list of delegates who would participate in the process. 

The State Chairman of the PDP, Sir John Ngbede in his remark told serving political appointees who had presented themselves as delegates to withdraw from participating in order not to contravene the electoral law. 

Earlier, the chairmen of the caucus leaders from the 14 Tiv speaking and the nine Idoma speaking areas of the state submitted their respective reports on the ongoing process to arrive at a consensus candidate for the governorship ticket. 

The Chairman of G-14, Dr. Laha Dzever and that of G-9, Sir Moses Ajima had stated in their separate reports that they were yet to reach a compromise but had resolved to go into the primaries to nominate a governorship candidate for the party.