Governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu has promised to be fair, just and responsive to all sections of the state if allowed to preside over the affairs of the state in 2023.
He said he has no other agenda different from that of giving service to the Benue people in the most efficient way he can.
Engr. Abounu spoke today at Katsina-Ala while addressing the caucus members and elders of the People’s Democratic Party in Benue North-East Senatorial District.
Engr Abounu, who said he came to seek their support to be allowed to govern the state and help with its economic transformation, promised he would never do anything against the Tiv people, who he respects highly and have extensive relations.
Engr. Abounu said as someone conversant with the culture and tradition of the Tiv, Idoma and Igede people, he would build bridges of unity and understanding and do what will make every segment of the society happy.
He said, he has what it takes to move Benue State to the next level of its development, adding that he has the singular privilege of being the only one among the governorship aspirants to have served in 3 different state administrations, in addition to working at the highest level in both the private and public sector acquiring invaluable experience in the art and science of governance and management of human resources.
The deputy governor, who said he is indebted to Governor Samuel Ortom for allowing him to represent him at various fora, attests that he has gained the necessary experience to deal with various security and sundry challenges facing the state.
He stated that the state needs a strong-willed leader to take over from Governor Ortom; someone with his kind of experience, who can stand up to the task of protecting the Benue Valley against external marauders.
He called on the people to support him and not to look at his place of origin as the most important defining parameter in their assessment of his candidacy, but to assess him based on his antecedents, his experience, competence, and ability to deliver on critical assignments.
The deputy governor acknowledged the contributions and leadership of the immediate past state governor, and senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, Sen. Gabriel Suswam to the success story of the PDP in the state.
He disclosed that before embarking on his consultative tour, he met and had useful and fruitful discussions with Senator Suswam on his aspiration to continue from where Governor Ortom would stop in 2023.
Leader of the Committee of Friends for Abounu, Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba told the people that their support for Engr Abounu is based on the fact that he has the requisite competence, integrity, reach and experience to take Benue State to a greater height; having worked loyally and diligently with Governor Ortom these 6 years without any quarrel.
Responding, representatives of the people of Sankara (Simon Amenger), Jechira (Chief David Amoo)and Kwande (Engr.. Anzua Kur) in separate speeches expressed satisfaction with the profile and antecedents of the deputy governor, saying, he can govern the country.
Simon Amenger called on Engr. Abounu to remember the people of Sankara if elected, while Anzua Kur said Engr. Abounu’s speech had exonerated him of any untoward agenda towards the Tiv people as being speculated. To Chief Amoo, Engr. Abounu is a fair-minded person, who will not manifest another character if allowed to govern the state.
The State PDP Vice-chairman, Hon. Anzua. Ashongo gave the deputy governor the go-ahead to continue with his consultations and to campaign throughout the 7 local government areas in the zone.
He said the deputy governor is well known to the party and people of the state for his unquantifiable contributions to the development of the party and the state. He singled out his role as chairman of the state Action committee on COVID-19, which helped to stem the tide of the deadly epidemic in the state.
He assured him that when the time comes, the leaders of the party shall sit together to examine all the aspirants to the position, adding that his wide experience, competence and ability to reach out to others will prove useful then.