Ortom, Anyanwu, Makinde return PDP guber nomination forms

As submission of nomination form for elective posts in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) closes today, three governorship aspirants, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of Imo and Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo states, yesterday submitted their expression of interest and nomination forms at the party secretariat, Abuja.

Submitting the form on behalf of the Benue State governor, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon. Abraham Kwanghngu said his principal as a sitting governor has the first right of refusal and ready to go into contest with any other person because the party’s constitution does not give room for automatic ticket.

“We are going to participate in the primaries and I can assure you that the governor is sure of victory. So we are not even thinking that we shall get automatic ticket,” he said.

He said Ortom is a founding member of PDP, and was national auditor of the party, serving minister under the party who has done enough to earn himself a second term as a governor.

“We have over 700 primary schools constructed in Benue state. Some that are not completed are 90 percent complete.

He said recent happening in the state shows that all the major stake holders came together to give their backing to the governor.

A senator representing Imo East senatorial district, Samuel Anyanwu who personally submitted his governorship nomination form said he has been called upon by his people to rescue Imo State.

He said the Rochas Okorocha led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has in the last seven years taken away the welfare of the people flagrantly disobeyed rule of law, relegated education to the background and failed woefully in other infrastructural development.

He said he could be trusted with the governance of Imo State having held several political positions and ran six elections winning all.

“I we been entrusted with the state resources and have not failed, I am not a serial loser and I am interested in putting Imo back on track”.

A governorship aspirant from Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, said the chances of the PDP and himself could not be threatened by the defection of former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja from the PDP.

“We won’t say that the exit of anybody, even if it is a single individual won’t have an impact because this is a game of number.

“I think that at the end of the day we gain more people by governor Ladoja’s decision to leave the party than when he was actually with us”.

He said the major reason he got into politics in the first instance is to give back to the society, saying “Poverty is a major issue for us to deal with.

“I have tackled poverty as an individual and succeeded and I have also lifted quite a number of people out of poverty line; I have made some effort in the private sector and I’m ready to do it in the public sector. I think that stands me out amongst the contestants”.