The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, has called on the people of the state to support a candidate from Benue Zone C to become governor of the state in 2023.
Senator Moro made this known in his speech on Saturday during the Benue State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect state Executives of the party.
Moro who expressed optimism on the possibility of power to change hand in 2023 urged the party stakeholders to support the ambition of his people.
He added that Zones A and B should see reasons to allow the people of Zone C to govern the state ‘even if it’s for just one tenure’
No leader from the zone has ever emerged governor since the inception of the state.
His speech: “Today is unique because it sets a stage for a milestone and, therefore, let me seize this opportunity to thank the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, who tenaciously ensures some level of cohesion in PDP that makes it a formidable party and a party to beat in Benue State.
“Today, I stand on behalf of the good people of Benue South Senatorial District to say that as we set the stage and march towards 2023, the good people of Benue South asked me, if I come here, to say that they crave the indulgence of the Benue people to support somebody from the Benue South Senatorial District to become Benue Governor in 2023.
“In 2007 when some of us contested for governorship seat, we were under the impression that Benue had three zones and that since zones A and B had produced governors of the state, it was the time for Zone C to produce one.
“This was unmindful of other permutations that were in the watch.
“Today, 2023 stares us in the face. I am saying because it will be very difficult for us to meet again in good time before other permutations to decide on where to go.
“And so, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to say here that by all calculations that our amiable Governor is the fifth Governor of Benue State of the Tiv speaking area of the Royal families.
“I, therefore, plead with our brothers from Zones A and B to support someone from Benue South to become governor, even if it’s for just one term.
“Today, we are on the threshold of history and I urge our political leaders to pick up courage to support one of us to become governor, to build inclusiveness in the Benue State and the Benue of our dreams.
“I agree with the spirit that has pervaded the historical life of our Tiv brothers and sisters of ‘eating and giving to your brother’, that in the build-up to the new inclusiveness, let the people of Benue South become the ‘brother’ of the Tiv now.
“All of you know that a Tiv man, the revered JS Tarka, fought for the minorities, and, therefore, I call on our Tiv brothers and sisters to pick up from where our revered statesman stopped by making 2023 a year where Benue will build a new inclusiveness. A year where the Benue people will say ‘enough is enough’, that we are one people because we work together and together we stand stronger.
“Together we can achieve more. Together we can go far in the drive for us to make a new Benue a reality. A Benue where everybody is everybody’s keeper”.