By 
Benue Governor Samuel Ortom on Tuesday urged those he may have offended while governor to pardon him.
This is how he announced his decision to withdraw the case he brought before the Electoral Complaints Court, where he contested the victory of the elected senator of the senatorial district Benue North-West, Titus Zam, in the February 25 presidential and national parliamentary elections.
Remember, Governor Ortom’s aspirations to become a senator went up in smoke after his crushing defeat on February 25 to his former assistant, Titus Zam.
Governor Ortom, while reacting to his defeat, later argued that he would challenge the outcome of the election in court as he hinged on his decision on what he described as not passing results.
Contrast this, while speaking to reporters on Tuesday following a meeting with stakeholders from his constituency and members of his campaign panel at the headquarters government in Makurdi, Ortom said he has decided to withdraw his lawsuit in court.
“Though there was glaring evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West Senatorial election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal.”
He added that the decision to withdraw his case from the court was in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of his party, the PDP.
“As a leader of PDP, I will continue to support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it to bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment.”
Governor Ortom however reassured the people of the state that he will continue to provide selfless service in all sectors of development till the end of his tenure on May 29, 2023.
He however made a passionate appeal, “For those, I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek their forgiveness, as I also forgive those who have offended me.”
The governor commended the resilience of the people of the state for participating massively in the just concluded elections despite what he described as ‘glaring provocation and intimidation by the federal might’ and also appreciated the Peoples Democratic Party in the state for supporting him all the way.
He noted that it had been an honor to serve the people of Benue State as governor saying he always ensured equity, fairness, justice, and the rule of law and had executed the mandate given to him by God almighty through Benue people will always be available and ready to carry out God’s mandate as He directs him.
