36 parties back Ortom as police vow to check violence, others

• Arewa youths endorse el-Rufai, political groups adopt Gombe APC candidate
No fewer than 36 political parties yesterday declared support for the reelection bid of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom in next Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

This is coming as nine gubernatorial candidates of PPP, DPP, ADC, ACD GDP, GNP, SNP, ZLP and other candidates of the National Assembly who lost in the last elections also expressed support for Ortom’s reelection.

The state Forum of Registered Political Parties led by its Chairman, Godwin Odeh during a visit to Governor Ortom, promised to mobilise support for PDP’s victory at the polls.

Odeh stated that they took the decision after a careful assessment of the governor’s goodwill and effort in defending the Benue Valley, stressing that they resolved to channel their structures to mobilise votes for the governor on Saturday.

Responding, Ortom expressed appreciation to the parties and their candidates for their support, stressing that together, they would work to ensure victory for the PDP come March 9, 2019.

Besides, the Benue State Police Command has warned that it would not condone any acts of intimidation or violence during Saturday’s exercise.

Addressing stakeholders at the command’s Officers Mess, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 4, Chris Okey Ezike and Commissioner of Police (CP), Omololu Bishi said their men were ready to safeguard the exercise and sought the cooperation of members of the public.

They also asked political parties to desist from engaging thugs or vote buying, saying security agencies will not sit and watch any individual or group of persons truncate the electoral process by engaging in provocative tendencies.

However, the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has endorsed Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai for a second term in office, describing him, as the best man for the job.

AYF said el-Rufai has proved to be a courageous leader who employs rapid response strategy in tackling the state’s security challenges.

The Kaduna State chapter of AYF, in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Abba Ismail, therefore, urged the youths to vote for el-Rufai of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, 19 gubernatorial candidates of various political parties declared support for Mohammad Inuwa Yahya of the APC in Gombe State.

Governorship candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Moradiya Aiye, who led them, disclosed this during a media briefing organised by a Coalition of Progressive Political Parties in the state, saying the decision to support Yahya was taken after a meeting with all 19 gubernatorial candidates and 28 parties.