Ahead of March 18 governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Benue State, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume has made his final pitch to the people of the state.
His offering comprised both appreciation for the people’s emphatic support in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly polls and a fresh appeal for a repeat of the same support in Saturday’s polls.
Akume’s message of appreciation, commendation, and appeal as the APC leader who once governed the state reads:
“My dear good people of Benue State,
“On Saturday 18th March 2023, we in Benue State will join the rest of Nigeria to elect State Governors and members of States Houses of Assembly.
“I thank you most sincerely for keeping faith with the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections of 25th February 2023.
“By electing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria to be sworn in on May 29th, you once again demonstrated commitment to the political culture of the state, which emphasizes mainstream politics over politics of opposition and confrontation, which sadly we witnessed in the state over the last eight years.
“As we look forward to the inauguration of the Federal Government, I want to assure you, fellow citizens, that Benue State ranks high on the governance and development agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“He is keenly aware of our missed opportunities and is committed to giving special attention to Benue State towards improving the lives of the people and the socio-economic fortunes of the state.
“It is important that we elect an APC government in the state that will engage effectively and seamlessly with the federal government towards the attainment of our collective goals and aspirations as a state. It is in this regard that I encourage you all to come out in large numbers on Saturday to vote for the Governorship candidate of the APC, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and all the party’s candidates for state constituency elections. Fr. Alia is a visionary, humane, and people – centred leader who has a deep understanding of the challenges of our state. He also has the requisite knowledge, capacity, character, and experience to address these challenges.
“I want to appeal in particular to our hardworking and patient civil servants, the long – suffering teachers and local government staff, our deprived pensioners, the youths and women of the state not to allow the prevailing state of affairs in the state to discourage them from performing their civic duties on Saturday 18th March 2023. Come out and vote en masse for the APC whose victory is assurance of help around the corner as an APC government will prioritize the payment of salaries and arrears of pensions and gratuities.
“To our farmers, market men, and women, I urge you to come out and vote for the APC, which is primed to give a new lease of life to our dear Benue State. Once in government, we guarantee that farmers will have easy access to critical inputs for agriculture – tractors, fertilizers and not sand, improved seeds, and not weeds. To traders and the business community, your support of the APC is investment in the rapid economic development of the state.
“I commend our teaming supporters and others who share our aspirations of a greater Benue State and appeal to you all that now is the moment to take our destiny in our hands. I urge you to come out in your numbers to vote without fear of molestation. The security forces have been empowered and are ready to deal decisively with those who may seek to undermine the conduct of the elections. When you vote, stay in an orderly manner at the polling units to monitor the counting of the votes and ensure your presence at the collation centres to check possible electoral abuses.
“I wish to appeal to parents to exert positive control over the conduct of their children and to the youths in particular not to allow themselves to be used for political violence during the coming elections. Those politicians who procure guns and other weapons for violence must first bring back their well – fed children from abroad to provide the vanguard for political thuggery failing, which they should be reported to security agencies.
“Once again, I thank you, the good people of Benue State, for your support of the APC thus far. We have heard your call of “YES FATHER”. I urge you to turn this clarion call into massive votes to elect Fr. Alia, as the Governor of Benue State and APC State Assembly Members that will support him to govern the state.
“I appeal to you to be orderly during the elections and not to be intimidated by anyone who may attempt to disenfranchise you. Your vote for the APC will witness the dawn of a new era in Benue State; an era in which Benue will cease to be a pariah state but will move to the next level.
“May God bless you, good people of Benue State, and bless our dear state.”
Senator Dr. George Akume, FNIM
Honourable Minister and Leader, APC, Benue State.
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