He stated that the postponement was planned as evidenced in the statement credited to leader of the APC in the state, Senator George Akume that they would cause the election to be postponed and write results.
He said that forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to postpone the Presidential and National Assembly elections was only to delay their impending defeat.
According to a statement made available to DAILY POST by his Media team, the Governor who, spoke on Saturday in Makurdi, was reacting to the rescheduling of the elections by one week.
He said whether INEC shifts the polls to any date, Nigerians would still reject the APC.
He stated that the action was a grand plan by the APC-led federal government to rig the elections, noting however that Benue State and North Central in general is vigilant and would not allow any form of rigging during the polls.
Governor Ortom stated that the people of the region are prepared for free, fair, credible and transparent elections that would usher in leaders who can anchor the country’s democracy based on the rule of law.
Governor Ortom described the development as unfortunate, saying for INEC to postpone the elections it took more than three years to plan, a few hours to the commencement of voting when people had travelled from far places to exercise their franchise was a rape of democracy.
He said dictatorship and nepotism are some of the major characteristics of the present APC-led government at the centre where the constitution of the country is no longer respected.
According to the Governor, the APC, which has the resources and claims to be fighting corruption is the worst culprit of corruption in the history of Nigeria, saying it is insensitive to postpone an election in the manner the electoral body had done.
He urged eligible voters in Benue and other parts of the country not to be discouraged by the sudden shift in the election dates and remain resolute until the current APC government of impunity is dethroned through the ballot.
Governor Ortom urged President Muhammadu Buhari to remember the words of the late elder statesman, Maitama Sule who told him when he went to congratulate him on his victory in 2015 that he should ensure his leadership was anchored on the rule of law, truthfulness and integrity where the interest of Nigerians would be protected above personal interests.
He said he was disappointed in the INEC chairman whom he said had subjected Nigerians to untold hardship, saying the people are angry and even those who were sympathizing with the president would be forced to change their minds.
Governor Ortom, however, sued for calm and patience among Nigerians, adding that what they needed to do at this critical time is to keep a date with the rescheduled elections.
