FORMER Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Sam Ode, mni on Thursday, 17th June, 2021 stated that when he is elected governor of Benue State, he would bring lasting solution to the lingering crisis that had engulfed the land and people of Sankera.
Hon Sam Ode, who is a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, said this while addressing APC stakeholders in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State. The interactive sessions with the APC critical stakeholders took place at Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam and Ugba towns.
Hon. Ode further stated: “As Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, I was one of the key people that facilitated the peace initiative that brought about solution to the crises in the Niger Delta, leading to the restoration of relative peace and harmony in the region.
“When given the opportunity to become the Governor of Benue State with the blessing of the people of Sankera, I will use similar experience to quell the lingering crisis in the area within a record period of six months.”
He added that this would be done using the instrumentality of peace, human capacity building and provision of gainful employment to the restive youth in the area.
The former minister also said that he was in Sankera to first and foremost sympathise with the people of Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo on the continuing killings of innocent souls and destruction of property which had already plagued and overwhelmed the people.
He described Sankera as “the food basket of Nigeria,” noting that anything that affected peaceful coexistence of the area would impact negatively on the economy of the state and food security of the whole nation.
Sam Ode, who is the first APC governorship aspirant to visit the people of Sankera, added that in spite of the security challenges, he had come to meet with the stakeholders in Sankera to inform them about his intention to run for the governorship of Benue State in 2023.
While soliciting for their support for the actualisation of his governorship ambition, Ode also said he holds Sankera in high esteem and has always remained close to the area as indicated in the appointment of Sankera children as key members of his Campaign Team.
In his remark, the APC leader of Katsina-Ala local government, Hon. Solomon Wombo, said he knows the antecedents of Hon. Sam Ode from whom he took over as Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs when he (Ode) was appointed as Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs.
Hon. Wombo, who was represented by Hon. Azege Denen, also said Sam Ode, was a man of integrity and pedigree who had touch many lives in very positive ways and was optimistic that when elected as Governor of Benue State in 2023, he would do much more for the state because he has the qualification, experience and capacity to steer Benue to greater heights.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Jonathan Agbidye, Member, representing Katsina-Ala East in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Tsea; Elder Nyitar; Hon. Ahar Shom and Gabriel Pool, all eulogise Hon Ode in terms that portray him as a skilful administrator and experienced politician. They concurred that Odeh, who was APC deputy governorship candidate in 2019, left no one in doubt during his remarks that he understood the problem of Sankera and had what it takes to fix it; and since he had done a similar thing before in the Niger Delta region, he was the most qualified aspirant for the job.
The stakeholders who spoke for Katsina-Ala also expressed gratitude to Hon Ode for insisting to come and consult with them in Katsina-Ala, a place, they said had become a no-go area for most people, including governorship aspirants.
Also speaking in Zaki-Biam for the people of Ukum local government area, the APC leader of Sankera, Col. Edwin Jando (rtd), Hon. Dr. B. T. Ashaver, and Hon. John Ashe, all spoke in support of the governorship aspiration of Hon. Ode whom they said was the first governorship aspirant to come for consultation in Ukum to seek for their blessing.
While speaking in Ugba on behalf of stakeholders in Logo local government, Orvesen Gege Gyor said Hon. Ode had paid his dues in politics by serving two Benue State governors and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Orvesen Gyor further stated: “We had earlier planned to make him deputy governor so that at the expiration of the tenure of the administration, he will take over as governor. But since that didn’t work out, this is his time; and Logo will fully support him to achieve his aspiration.”
Gege Gyor concluded that since Hon. Sam Ode had come to Logo to seek for blessing, the people of Logo had agreed to not only support, but also work with him to become the next governor of Benue State.
Hon Sam Ode’s entourage on the visit to Sankera include the Director-General of the Campaign Team, Hon. Manasseh Akperashi, Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, Rt. Hon. Johnson Baba Ode, a member of the Benue State House of Assembly, campaign directors, coordinators and his teeming supporters.
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