November 16, (THEWILL) – The senator representing Benue North East at the National Assembly, Gabriel Suswam, has called on his constituents to vote him again into the Senate in 2023, so as to use his influence to attract more projects for their benefit, even as he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) into the electoral system.
Senator Suswam, who stated this during the flag-off of the Benue North East Senatorial campaigns in Adikpo, the headquarters of Kwande Local Government Area of the state, noted that the introduction of BVAS into the system has brought to an end, cases of snatching of electoral materials by political thugs during general elections.
He advised people against contemplating snatching of ballot boxes because it would be of no use to them, but rather concentrate on canvassing support for the Peoples Democratic Party candidates right at the polling units; saying the era of ballot box and other electoral materials snatching was over.
Senator Suswam, a former governor of Benue state for two terms, warned his supporters against campaigns of acrimony and insults, but rather carry out campaigns that are issue-based, to win votes for him.
Speaking at the event, Governor Samuel Ortom expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party would win overwhelmingly, the 2023 general elections based on the purposeful leadership the PDP was able to deliver to the people of the state in the past four and half years.
He described Benue North East and Benue South Senatorial Districts as the strongholds of the PDP in the state, saying the massive turnout at the senatorial campaign flag-off for Suswam, victory was assured for PDP next in the state.
According to Governor Ortom, members of the party would continue to work together for the good of the state and PDP, stressing that he believed in the unity of purpose for the benefit of the state and beyond.
In his remarks, the Peoples Democratic Party, governorship candidate in the state, Mr Titus Uba, who was represented by his running mate, Mr John Ngbede, advised the people to remain united and support the party, stressing that if they were united, victory would be assured in next year’s general elections.
The Guest Speaker at the occasion, Dr Paul Orhii, urged the party faithful to support all the party’s candidates from bottom to top, to enable them to attract valuable projects for their constituents.
Orhii, who is a former Director General of the National Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), particularly urged the people of Zone A to vote massively for Suswam again, to enable him to sustain better representation and more good things for the district.
The Director General of the senatorial district, Dr Paul Ubwa, said senator Suswam has passed the litmus test and deserved to be reelected for a second term, while the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, said Suswam has already offered quality representation in the Senate as attested by projects he provided across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
The Chairlady of the occasion, Mrs Mwuese Ubebe, assured that women in the zone would work relentlessly for the victory of PDP at both the state and national levels, while the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs Margaret Icheen, expressed optimism that the PDP would sustain victory in the state and the entire country in 2023.
She called on the people of Zone A to be wary of other candidates that may come with fake promises, but vote for senator Suswam, who is tested and trusted to deliver dividends of democracy as before.
The candidate, while addressing party faithful at Ushongo and Adikpo recently, said he acquired enough exposure and experience to effectively represent their interest if elected into the green chambers of the national assembly.
According to him, when given the mandate, he will focus more on providing interest-free loans, empowerment schemes for women and Youths, affordable and access to primary healthcare, education and potable water in rural communities of the constituency.
The Reps contender reminded the people of the area that it was the best time to get things right by electing a credible, experienced and thorough bled professional with vast exposure like him to offer quality and effective representation that will better their lives.
Professor Iornem said all his constituency projects will be awarded to complete and complement contractors from Kwande/Ushongo to execute to boost socio-economic activities in the constituency.
Assuring of running issue-based campaigns, devoid of rancour and acrimony, Iornem said his involvement in politics aimed to serve his people, who at the moment are underrepresented.
In a related development, the defeated Kwande/Ushongo House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Thomas Unongo, has withdrawn his case against Mr Bob Tyough, as the winner of the primary election.
Bob Tyough, who won the primary by one vote against his rival, is the incumbent federal legislator occupying the seat since 2019.
Unongo’s action followed several appeals by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and some other national leaders of the party.
The litigant filed the suit at the Federal High Court, Makurdi, seeking to be declared the winner of the party’s primary election, which took place on May 5th, 2022, when Bob Tyough was declared the winner with a slim margin of one vote.
When the case resumed for hearing, Counsel to Unongo, Barr. K.C Ikonne, informed the court that his client, Unongo, told him to discontinue the suit, saying both parties have resolved to settle their dispute out of court.
Counsel to PDP, Barrister Clement Mue, consented to Ikonne’s submission; adding that the party had deployed its internal dispute resolution mechanism to settle the dispute between the two members.
Counsel to Mr Tyough, Barr O. Agena, confirmed Ikonne and Mue’s submission.
After listening to the counsels of the parties, the presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Dogo, dismissed the case and awarded no cost to any of the parties.
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