Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has quit the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) saying he was given a ‘red card’ by the party.
Ortom disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi, capital of the state, after
swearing in Jerome Shimbe as his special adviser on bureau for local
government and chieftaincy affairs.
Ortom declared that the red card by the APC would enable him join any
political party that has an ideology worthy of being adopted by his
administration.
“Many people have been asking that after dedicating the state to God we
are still facing challenges, but I know that the God that saw the
Israelites pass through the wilderness, and took them to the promised land
will also see us through our difficult times,” he said.
“I know one thing, all these challenges that we see today, we shall see
them no more. All that we are required to do is not to begin to be wayward
in our conduct but to move to the righteous side of God. Once we do that,
things will work out for our good.
“Looking at what is happening to us, sometimes am tempted to think that we
are dying like people who do not have God. But we must choose the path of
working with God, obeying and serving him.
“If we do that and ensure that his values get into our hearts and we work
with him, development will be inevitable. Let us work and encourage those
things that can develop us.
“As for party, I have been given red card and I’m outside the pitch. So,
if I have been given red card and I’m standing outside, I’m a free man.
“So I don’t know what will happen next but I’m waiting. If others approach
me, then I will tell the Benue people that I’m joining another football
club. I’m a child of destiny and it’s only God that will decide what I
will be.”