Benue 2027: Iortyom receives Ortom’s blessings to contest, pledges enforcement of Anti Open Grazing Law

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, has received a fatherly blessings from the immediate past Governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, to contest the 2027 Governorship race.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Principal Special Assistant (PSA)
On Media and Communications, Mr Cephas Iyorhen and issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday.

The statement said Chief Iortyom has paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor at his Abuja residence, where he traced his history of loyalty and service to the PDP dating back to the foundation of the party in 1998.

The chieftain who was recently appointed the consultant on Media and Public Communications to the party, said since he joined the party from formation, he has kept faith with it to date without having ever left even for a minute, both in and out of power.

He recalled that he has served the party in various capacities including eight years as Benue State Publicity Secretary, during which time he doubled as National Chairman of the PDP Forum of State Publicity Secretaries, and discharged numerous national assignments for the party, including currently as Consultant on Media and Public Communications to the Benue State Chapter.

This fact, he said, marks him out as most qualified and suitable to fly the PDP flag at the 2027 Governorship election, as he possesses an unmatched network of connectivity through the party’s structure in the state, one which will galvanize the ready support base of its teeming followers for victory at the polls.

Iortyom also highlighted that he has over the years been involved in series of community development initiatives across the state, and sees himself as quite experienced and adept at attracting development opportunities to rural communities, as well as mobilising people to engage in collective ventures to better their conditions of living.

Speaking on security of lives and property of the people, Chief Iortyom emphasized that the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law (2017) remains the best antidote to the herdsmen crisis, saying when elected Governor of Benue State, he will revive the enforcement of the law through an approach that will ensure peace for farmers and pastoralists alike who are willing to embrace peaceful living under the rule of law in the state.

He also pledged the restoration of the economic and cultural integrity of the state through the abolishing of the harmful practice of capital flight, and the promotion of dignity of the human person by leading citizens to cultivate civility and decorum in relating to one another and as well partnering with government.

He stated that “My administration will be guided by the urgent need to rescue Benue State from the prevailing order of physical insecurity where citizens live in constant fear for their lives, where terrorists and outlaws have annexed portions of the state and reign therein as sovereigns, subjugating the people under oppression and the rule of terror.

“It is equally very disturbing that the bonds of unity, love and respect for one another which should be at the core of civil life in any decent society, have been systematically assaulted under the present order, where a culture of vile and hateful relations have become the order of the day, where citizens have become callous and inhuman to one another”.

Chief Iortyom stated that as Governor, he will not share sovereignty over the state with terrorists, criminals and outlaws, stressing that the paradigm of his administration will be the restoration of the territorial, economic and cultural integrity of the people.

The former PDP spokesman holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from the Moses Adasu University Makurdi, (MOAUM), and has to his credit the Traditional Title of Vande-U-Mbaiwer (Rock of the Mbaiwer Kindred) for his sterling track-record of contributions to rural community development. He is married with children.