In advance of the upcoming general election, Governor Samuel Ortom has received assurances from Prof. Sam Egwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue State, that the commission is making every effort to ensure that the votes of his constituents in the IDP camps count.
When Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, paid him a courtesy visit at his Makurdi office on Wednesday, Egwu made this statement.
At the time of this report, reporters did not know the reason for the governor’s visit, but Sam Egwu informed them that the Commission had long since started distributing Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and that it was prepared to make sure that no one is denied the right to vote.
The INEC REC who noted that he would have also visited the governor stated: “This is an election period and one cannot take anything for granted. Public perception will be an issue if I visit you.
“Democracy is a contest of ideas. We are working to make the election credible. We are working assiduously to ensure that all those who are displaced, who left their natural abode without their PVCs, that their votes count,” Prof Egwu assured.
He lauded the Governor for his visit saying he would have been scared about the election if the Governor did not visit.
He noted that by his visit, Governor Ortom has demonstrated that he does not only want the elections to hold in Benue but he wants the elections to be free, fair and peaceful.
“You are one of the key stakeholders and your coming to us is an indication that you want the election to be free and fair. Actors do not present their rules. All actors must play by the rules,” he said.
He lauded the Governor for infrastructural development in the state especially the magnificent edifice in the palace of the Tor Tiv, saying it was very befitting of the state.
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