ORTOM URGES MUT LEADERSHIP TO REMAIN NON PARTISAN Former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment, and All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Dr Samuel Ortom, has appealed to the leadership of the Mdzough U Tiv to eschew partisan politics in order to earn the confidence of major stakeholders of the ethnic group. He spoke at the J S Tarka Institute of Political Affairs, Gboko, yesterday during a meeting organized by the sociocultural organization for candidates of various political parties with leaders of religious groups and traditional rulers to canvass peaceful and violence - free elections next year. Chief Dr Ortom commended the initiative of the organizers stressing that their neutrality in partisan matters was the best way they could secure the confidence and support of all and sundry. The former Minister stated that the alleged plans by the government of the day to engage the services of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the forthcoming polls was a major threat to the elections in the state as the move could trigger the resort to self help by other participants with dire consequences and appealed that such plans be shelved. The APC governorship candidate also lamented what he described as the sustained campaign of falsehood and calumny against his person and political party by a private radio station in the state stressing that such conduct was also capable of precipitating crisis. But he assured that the APC in the state was committed to collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other stakeholders in the state in order to ensure transparent and credible polls so that the results could be accepted by all parties. In his speech, President General of the organization, Chief Engr Edward Ujege, solicited peaceful, free and fair elections, show of magnanimity by winners, and acceptance of results without resort to litigation which he described as a waste of the peoples hard earned money. He enjoined those who would win to pursue Tiv interests and be prepared to tackle various challenges including insecurity and persecution of the Tiv in Taraba and Nasarawa states, marginalization, as well as decayed infrastructure in all sectors. Religious leaders who spoke included Bishops Thomas Tsav of the Methodist Church, Peter Adobo of Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese, Yimam Orwar of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and Alhaji Abubakar Tsav all urged the politicians to unite and confront common challenges. They listed these to include provision of critical infrastructure in major towns and rural areas, good leadership, justice and accountability, support for the Mdzough U Tiv, and credible polls. Spokesman of the traditional rulers, Chief Ambrose Iyortyer, advocated sustainable support for the organization, hosting of Tiv annual conferences locally as well as security alertness and awareness at all times. Candidates of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, All Peoples Grand Alliance, APGA, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as well as Labour Party who were present all assured of support for peaceful elections. Bishop Orkwar Yimam was mandated to pray for the aspirants.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:45:57 +0000
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