All Plans To Rig Election In Benue State Would Be Hindered – Gov. Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has noted that any attempt to rig the 2019 general elections would be resisted by the state.

This he said today, while swearing-in the Chairman and Commissioners of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) in Makurdi.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Benson Abounu, the governor said people in the state’s will must prevail and votes must count, adding that some steps have been put in place to ensure that every form of electoral malpractice in the state is hindered.

He said: “Only those who will genuinely win will be declared winners. We will not accept rigging by whatever guise.

“We are not interested in rigging and we will do everything possible to stop those who will want to rig in the state.

“Anyone who thinks he can rig and get away with it will have himself to blame.”

Ortom also said that the commission was reconstituted because of the positive impact the action would have on democracy in the state.

“As you know, the tenure of the present local government administration in the state will soon come to an end.

“You must ensure the conduct of free and fair election to usher in the new local council executives.

“Your swearing-in into office is one of the ways to promote democracy and the ball is in your court to ensure that every vote counts.

“The present administration is anchored on fear of God and have zero tolerance for corruption and this is none negotiable.

“If you declare a loser winner, you are a corrupt person, so, you must ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair process that will produce the next local government council leaders,” NAN quoted him as saying.