Gov. Sam Ortom


Benue State Governor  Samuel Ortom on Friday urged  all Nigerians to "..join hands to build a national cohesion to guarantee true freedom, peace and unity of the country".


Gov Ortom gave the counsel in a goodwill message to mark Nigeria's 62nd Independence anniversary .


In the goodwill message signed by    his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nathan Ikyur the Benue governor maintained that “There must be a country before personal ambitions can be realized," stressing  that "Nigeria has experienced unprecedented decay in the last seven years where lives of citizens do not matter and therefore everyone must come together to rebuild it for our children and the next generation." 


The Governor further harped on the need to strengthen the security architecture of the country, saying that "an unsecured nation neither guarantee peaceful coexistence nor engender progress or development."


He lamented that virtually every part of the country is under siege and is  threatened by terrorists and bandits who are seizing Nigeria's sovereignty, pointing out that “No one is truly safe in his or her home, schools, worship centers, places of works and on the roads”.


On the 2023 General Elections,  Gov Ortom urged public office seekers to put the unity and peace of Nigeria first above personal ambitions.


While canvassing for a free, fair and credible elections, the Governor reiterated that efforts must be geared towards effective security for all so as "To guarantee an unhindered or unimpeded conduct of the forthcoming elections."


He cautioned against the resort to mundane issues during campaigns that may put asunder, the already fragile cohesion and corporate existence of the country following suspicion and anger building among various ethnic nationalities; And  urged the political class and all stakeholders to abide by the rules of the game to ensure that the 2023 elections produces the choice of the people.


The Governor wishes Nigerians a happy independence celebration.