Governor Ortom contested for the Benue North West Senatorial District seat during the National Assembly election held on February 25 but lost to his former aide, Chief Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has withdrawn the petition he filed to challenge the outcome of the Benue North West senatorial election, saying that a man receives nothing except it be given to him from heaven.
Governor Ortom contested for the Benue North West Senatorial District seat during the National Assembly election held on February 25 but lost to his former aide, Chief Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Ortom subsequently filed a petition at the election tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. However, addressing journalists shortly after meeting with his campaign team at the Government House, Makurdi on Tuesday, the governor said he decided to withdraw the case in the interest of peace.
Daily Trust quoted Ortom as saying, “Though there was glaring evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West Senatorial election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal. As the Bible says in John 3:27 ‘A man can receive nothing, except it is given to him from heaven.’
“Let me add that the decision to withdraw my case from the court is in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of our party, PDP.”
Governor Ortom, thereafter, thanked God, the people of the state and his political party, PDP for their support to serve in various capacities throughout his over 40-year sojourn in politics.
“As a leader of PDP, I will continue to support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it to bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment.
“Let me reassure the people of Benue State that as governor, I will continue to provide selfless service in all sectors of development till the end of my tenure on May 29, 2023. For those I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek their forgiveness, as I also forgive those who have offended me,” he said.