Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has further declared that his movement to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek re-election was the assurance that the party would accommodate the anti-open grazing law.
Ortom stated this during the flag off of his re-election campaign held at IBB square, Makurdi yesterday.
The governor regretted that the APC led federal government had through its officials frustrated all efforts of his administration to find a lasting solution to the constant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
He assured that under the PDP, the anti-open grazing law would not be compromised.
“Today, as we stand on the threshold of history to seek the renewal of our mandate – on a different and better platform – it is important to account for the mandate earlier given, as a basis for its renewal that we seek in the forthcoming elections.
“While it is on record that we secured the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 general elections, as sole governorship candidate, we had to abandon that platform in search of one that offers more accommodation and support for our policies, especially the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.
“The Benue masses on whose behalf and on whose behest the Ranching Law was passed and signed into law by our administration, are witnesses to various attempts by highly placed officials in the APC-led Federal Government to frustrate imperative legislation aimed at finding a lasting peace between farmers and herders in our State.
“It became pertinent to make a bold political decision on the choice of platform that would not compromise our stance on a matter so key to the Benue people. That platform became very easily the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
“This is the platform on which we seek the renewal of our mandate. No one will bend us as far as the Ranching Law is concerned because we draw consent and sustained support from the Benue people,” the governor said.
The governor enjoined the people of the state to be mindful of the antics of the opposition as the elections draw nearer.
He called on the people to vote all PDP candidates from presidential to the assembly members in the forthcoming elections.
The governor assured that the state under his watch would witness stability and greatness.
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