Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
President Muhammadu Buhari has stated on Wednesday that he would provide adequate security to ensure that the 2019 general elections are free and fair, credible and devoid of violence.
President Buhari who was in Makurdi for his re-election campaign also promised to remain consistent in providing good governance to the nation.
While addressing party supporters at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, the president who spoke for nearly four and a half minutes, recalled that when he came to seek for votes in 2014, he promised to look into three major areas: security, economy and fight against corruption.
He maintained that his administration had delivered on its promises by tackling all the three key sectors he promised to address.
“You will recall that when I came to canvas for your votes in 2014, l promised three things which were to improve economy, security and fight corruption. I have been able to stop the importation of foreign foods.
Although fighting corruption has remained a major challenge of this government, I will not change; I will be consistent and steadfast in fighting corruption and all recovered looted funds will be used to improve infrastructures, build roads, construct rail lines and improve power.
“We have been able to rescue all local government areas in the North East states from the hands of Boko Haram,” Buhari said.
In a remark, leader of APC in Benue State, Sen. George Akume, commended the president for managing the economy very well and assured that the Benue people love him and would still cast their votes for him.
“The president always says that if you don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill you. Indeed, corruption was killing this country before he came. PDP shared money meant to fight corruption but today, many are running away from their monies in banks because of this great Nigerian. Buhari is one Nigerian who doesn’t like money.
“Today, there is one governor in north central Nigeria who is richer than Buhari and has more money than Buhari in just three and half years of being a governor.
“Benue people love you. We have no problems with the Fulani. I was governor for eight years and we didn’t have any problems with the Fulani. People shouldn’t lie.
“In Benue, it is 70 percent votes for Buhari, 30 percent for Atiku. We will continue to cherish and pray for you before we believe in this country,” Akume said.
Akume further described the PDP-led government in the state as a failed one that had refused to improve on the welfare of Benue people by not paying salaries and execute projects despite the huge amount of money accruing to the state from the Federal government.
He posited that the most notorious problem facing Benue today is the use of livestock guards who he alleged have been killing Benue people because they are armed with Ak47.
“Just last Friday, we were on governorship campaign to Guma Local Government Area and those guards ambushed our campaign train, shot and killed one person while several others were injured,” Akume stated, urging the president to deploy enough security to the state for the forthcoming general elections.
On his part, the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, accused Governor Samuel Ortom of embezzling N10 billion that was meant to offset arrears of salaries in the state.
“The president gave N10billion to all the 36 states to pay salaries of workers. In Benue, money was taken, salaries were not paid.
“When Ortom was called to account for the money, he had no answers, only for him to weep up emotions. I have come with a message of hope that salaries will be paid regularly with Emmanuel Jime as governor.”
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of party flags to all candidates of the party in Benue State.