Three governorship aspirants under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue state yesterday declared their intention to succeed Governor Gabriel Suswam in next year’s general elections, bringing the total number of PDP aspirants who have so far declared for the position to 17.
They included former Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Makurdi, Dr. Mathias Oyigeya, immediate past Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Pensions Board, Prince Andy Uwouku and the current Commissioner for Justice, Barr Alex Adum.
The declarations took place at the state secretariat of the party located along Makurdi-Otukpo express way.
Speaking, Prince Uwouku, 56, said he has joined the race to salvage the state and make life more meaningful to the people, adding that, having traversed through the three senatorial districts of the state, he was now in a better position to solve the problems confronting the state.
Uwouku who also served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau for Loal Government and Chieftaincy Affairs indicated his readiness to make the agricultural sector commercially viable so as to boost food production and restore the status of the state as the food basket of the nation.
He also promised to promote culture and tourism, health care delivery, education as well as security of the lives and property of the citizenry if given the mandate to serve.
On his part, Dr. Oyigeya who rolled up his achievements at the FMC said he will focus on agriculture, unemployment as well as revamp the failed and ailing government companies through partnership with the private sector by way of public private partnership system.
He promised to attract federal presence into the state to support the efforts of Governor Gabriel Suswam, as well as develop sporting facilities and address the perennial problem of pension and gratuity of retired workers, while Justice Commissioner, Alex Adum also promised to transform the state if voted into power.
Responding, the state chairman of the party, Dr. Agbo Emmanuel warned the aspirants against campaign of calumny and character assassination and promised to give all aspirants a level playing ground.
Dr. Agbo who was represented by his vice, charged the aspirants to begin campaigns to solicit the support of the people and advised them to shun violence in the course of consultations, stressing that the party has seasoned and experienced people who can take the state out of the present economic quagmire.
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