As politicians begin realignment towards the 2019 political permutations, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that he is not in talks with anyone or group to join the so-called mega party being planned to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is yet to register any party known as Mega Party, reports of a big party being planned by bigwigs from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the ruling APC, have been gaining grounds lately.
One of the reports carried early in the week, quoted some unnamed top political sources as saying that the Mega Party was targeting 15 of the 36 Nigerian governors, among them, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, in its bid to take over government from Buhari in 2019.
However, Ortom, yesterday, lashed out at those linking him with the so-called Mega Party, saying that he is not one of those keen on leaving the APC for any other party.
Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said he had not met with anyone and was not planning to leave the APC for any other party.
“We wish to categorically state that Governor Ortom is not part of such a plan. The governor, as the standard bearer of All Progressives Congress, APC, was popularly elected by the people of Benue State and is still enjoying maximum support of the people as he continues to deliver good governance, so he could not have been involved in any clandestine plot to launch another political party.
“Governor Samuel Ortom is a loyal member of the APC and is in full support of the leadership of party under the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
“The governor also believes that the leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari is what the country needs to overcome the current challenges and is committed to supporting Mr. President to succeed.”
“The Governor says the whole world is applauding President Buhari for his anti-corruption crusade, integrity and discipline so what the President deserves is support from Nigerians and not distraction.
“The APC has brought real positive change in all ramifications of the life of the country, so I do not foresee any other political party coming to do half of what the government of our great party APC is already doing. Nigerians know that it is easier to destroy than to build. President Muhammadu Buhari is rebuilding the country and I stand solidly with him and I will continue to support him.
“Governor Ortom should therefore be excluded from any further discussion or news report regarding the new mega party. The Governor is busy with selfless service to Benue State at the moment and does not need any distraction.
“We urge all Nigerians and Benue People in particular to disregard the said report in its entirety,” the governor said.
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