From Rose Ejembi, Makudi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has disclosed that he is seeking divine guidance on whether or not to contest for a second term in 2019.
He disclosed this, yesterday, when a group of indigenes marched to Benue People’s House, in Makurdi, to express solidarity with the state government’s anti-open grazing law, and also, requested him to contest the governorship election in 2019.
The governor quoting from the Holy Bible, said : “A man shall receive nothing, except it is given to him from above,” and disclosed that he would seek God’s face and once divine approval is given, shall contest and win.
Hundreds of Benue indigenes defied the rain to identify with the governor over what they described as his people-centered policies, especially signing the Open Grazing Prohibition Bill into law.
Speaking through their representatives from the three senatorial zones of the state, the group observed that the step taken by the governor was the best approach to ending herdsmen invasion in the state and frowned at what they called unwarranted and provocative utterances from Miyetti Allah. They urged the Presidency to sanction leaders of the group for declaring war on Benue indigenes, on account of the new law.
The indigenes said the governor has carefully managed the state and its resources and it is their belief that “he will bring more stability to the system, despite the hitches” he has encountered, if he was re-elected.
In his response, the governor thanked the group for being conscious of happenings around them and for their expression of support and assured that the law will come into effect in November this year as, according to him, “there is no going back on the law.”