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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship aspirant in Benue State, Chief Terwase Orbunde, has promised to mobilise grassroot based and international support to tackle insecurity in the state if elected come 2027 general elections.
Orbunde stated this during an interactive session with the Kwande Intermediate Area Interparty Governorship Advocacy Committee and other stakeholders at Ushongo town, on Monday.
The former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor Samuel Ortom, said that since the attackers, who conquer and occupy parts of the state, have a network across several countries, only a corresponding superior network will be able to surmount them.
Orbunde recalled the information which a former governor of Kaduna State gave that he took money to pacify bandits in many countries across Africa, to stress the international nature of the security challenges.
He stated that when he made preliminary contacts on the matter in the build up to his 2023 governorship bid, Israel, the European Union and the United States of America indicated interest to assist.
Orbunde stated that such assistance could be deployed to tackle both external and internal security challenges.
The former Chief of Staff appealed to stakeholders from the Kwande Intermediate Area to support his governorship bid because through their blessings he has been able to acquire the necessary experience to be governor.
He listed his experience which included being a member of the House of Representatives, local government chairman and Chief of Staff to the Governor which gave him opportunity to be a member of the state security council for several years enabling him to be acquainted with what he described as existential security and economic threats facing the state.
Dignitaries present at the session included All Progressives Zonal Chairman for Zone A, Vincent Uji, People Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Elder Atsaga Anemba, APC Ushongo caucus chairman, Chief Joseph Ormye Mayange, former Ushongo chairman, Lady Veronica Gajir, APC and PDP local government party chairmen of Ushongo and Kwande as well as several stalwarts of the party from the two council areas.
Most of them who spoke during the meeting appreciated their son Mr Orbunde for his vision to lead the state and bring lasting peace, security and development of the state.
They pledged their support urging him to consult widely for the success of his ambition.
