GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has formally declared his interest to leave the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
His declaration yesterday may not be unconnected with the wrangling between him and the leader of the party in the state, Senator George Akume.
The governor described himself as ‘child of God’ who no one can toil with his destiny.
Ortom made the declaration at the swearing in of the Special Adviser on Bureau of local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jerome Torshimbe.
He told the people present at the occasion held at Government House, Makurdi that the ruling APCÂ has given him red card stressing that he was awaiting party that would admit him into its fold.
He said, ‘as for the party, I have been given a red card and I’m outside the pitch. So, if I have been given a red card and I’m standing outside, I’m a free man.
“So I don’t know what will happen next but I’m waiting. If ones approach me, then I will tell the Benue people that I’m joining another football club. I’m a child of destiny and it’s only a God that will decide what I will be,” governor Ortom said.
Ortom who lamented on the challenges confronting the state said that he has absolute faith in God that everything will soon be a thing of the past.
He, however, called on the people of the state to have faith in God.
“All these challenges that we see today, we shall see them no more. All that we are required to do is not to begin to be wayward in our conduct but to move to the righteous side of God. Once we do that, things will work out for our good.
“Looking at what is happening to us, sometimes am tempted to think that we are dying like people who do not have God.
“But we must choose the path of working with God, obeying and serving him. If we do that and ensure that his values get into our hearts and we work with him, development will be inevitable. Let us work and encourage those things that can develop us.
” We need to come together let party or ethnicity not divide us,” Ortom pleaded.
and then