God has directed me to contest for second term ―Ortom

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has formally declared to contest for the second term in office come 2019.

The governor who made the declaration yesterday when people from 13 local government areas of the state including his immediate constituency, MI NDA axis stormed government house to endorse him for the second term said that his declaration was through divine direction.

The governor, in August 2017 informed youths across the state who had called on him to declare his second term bid that needed to seek the face of God before formal declaration.

Ortom then submitted that he would commence prayer by ending of 2016 to know the mind of God on his second term while promising to formally make known his ambition early 2017.

He assured that if God gives him to go ahead he would not hesitate to throw his hat into the ring and promised to return to his farm and business if God says otherwise.

However, while addressing the mammoth crowd that stormed the seat of government yesterday to endorse him for the second term, the governor said he had received divine encouragement to run for a second term.

He said, ‘that same God who told me to contest for the governorship in 2015 has told me to go for the same position in 2019.’

The governor stated that after series of endorsements and pressures mounted on him to re-contest in 2019, he had decided to take their wishes to God who had directed him to heed the voice of the people and contest in 2019.

“I accept your endorsement, am more committed now than before to offer service to the people, the endorsement has encouraged me, because the voice of people is the voice of God”.

All those who spoke on behalf of the people said Governor Ortom is the best man for the job and listed the introduction of the anti-grazing law, re-opening of Benue State University and graduation of more than 150 medical doctors among others as justification for the endorsement.