The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians and the international community to hold governor Samuel Ortom responsible for any break down of law and order in Benue South before, during and after the February 20, 2016 rerun election.
The party said its fear is predicated on the Governor’s amnesty to miscreants whom he has through the back door re-armed ostensibly to unleash terror during the Saturday polls.
Besides, informed sources said yesterday that governor Ortom has ordered local government care taker committee Chairmen in Benue South to deliver APC candidate for the election or get out of office.
Ortom was also quoted to have told his Cabinet members in Makurdi that he has received a matching order from the Presidency to deliver Daniel Onjeh of APC by all means whether he wins or not.
State Chairman of PDP Dr. Emmanuel Agbo stated that his party has maintained the highest level of decorum and candor since the renewed campaign for rerun polls but the APC has not seen reason for peace.
An angry Agbo stated: “Nigerians should know that the APC in Benue State has continued to provoke us with ceaseless attacks and harassment. They have made our coordinators and supporters their targets.
“Our candidate and immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark’s Otukpo country home was the target on Monday when armed men fired gun shots into his compound.
“I have had cause to alert the nation of plot by APC to sew camouflage Army and Police uniforms for thugs to disrupt the election. That plot has continued unabated.
“Credible information at our disposal indicates that the APC plans to unleash terror through Oju and Agatu local government axis to manipulate the election on Saturday.
“We are ready for an election that will be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.
The people of Benue South are solidly behind Senator David Mark for the election. The APC knows this much. That is why they want to resort to violence.
“The governor has before now assured of a peaceful conduct of the election. Unfortunately his actions do not suggest a man craving for peace. Otherwise why would he release those militants he granted amnesty two days to the election and in swift twist of events rearm them ostensibly for the election on Saturday.
It will be recalled that during a reception organized for him in Makurdi after his Supreme Court victory, the Governor publicly declared that he was going to use the security to win the election in Benue south at all cost.
This stance was equally reinforced when the Deputy Governor, Mr Benson Abounu in an interview with some journalists said “we want to snatch the Senatorial seat”.
Dr. Agbo rhetorically asked, “what evidence do you still need to convince you that the state government is out for violence?”
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
