By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Minister of State, for Trade and Investments, Dr. Samuel Ortom has formally declared his intention to contest the 2015 governorship election in Benue State.

He said he was motivated to join the race because of his earnest desire to add value to the lives of the people of the state through purposeful leadership.

Ortom who spoke in an interview with newsmen yesterday at Makurdi said: “Having consulted with the people at all levels,  I am declaring my interest in the position, not to seek bread and butter, but to give service to our people.

“All I am seeking to do is to bring my experience and the goodwill I enjoy from around the globe to bear in the socio-economic development of Benue State.
“Having served at the local, state and recently at the federal level, and with the experience I have gathered over the years, I know that as governor of our state I will add value to the lives of our people if given the opportunity to serve.”

The Minister added further that, “we all know that Governor Gabriel Suswam has done his very best in his service to the people of the state, despite the daunting challenges that faced his administration, adding that ‘’all I seek to do is to continue from where he would stop because government is a continuum and it is all about building the blocks of development and growth.”

Ortom, who debunked rumours making the rounds in the state that he was at loggerheads with Suswam, said, “those peddling such rumours are ignorant of my relationship with the Governor.