Ortom withdraws case against ex-aide

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has withdrawn his case against Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the senatorial election tribunal.

Mr Zam garnered 143,151 votes to beat Mr Ortom, who polled 106,882 votes to win the Benue Northwest senatorial seat in the February 25 National Assembly election.

Mr Ortom stated this after meeting with State Executive Council members, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Zone B and his senatorial campaign council in Makurdi on Tuesday.

He said that he decided to withdraw the petition despite glaring electoral malpractices.

“Though there was glaring evidence of malpractices, including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal.

“As the bible says in John 3:27 ‘, A man can receive nothing, except it is given to him from heaven’.”

“Let me add that the decision to withdraw my case from the court is in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of our party, PDP,” Mr Ortom said.

He promised that as a leader of the PDP, he would support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it to bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks affecting it.

The governor reassured the state’s people that he would continue to provide selfless service in all development sectors until his tenure ends on May 29, 2023.

“For those I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek your forgiveness, as I also forgive those who have offended me,” he said.

He commended the Benue people for their resilience, stressing that they went out to vote during the elections despite the glaring provocation and intimidation by the federal might.

Mr Ortom said he particularly thanked the PDP in the state for its support, adding that it had been an honour to serve the state’s people as governor.

(NAN)