2023: Aspirants Above 70 Years Mean Evil For Nigeria – Ortom; As He Receives Saraki, Tambuwal, Bala

By Uche Mbah

“If I may quote one of my brother-Governors, anybody who is above 70 years, and is looking for President is an evil person who wants to ruin this country. He should desist”

Those who have indicated interest in the Presidency under the Umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appear to make a consensus stopover at Benue State as part of their consultations for the Presidential seat come 2023.

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was in Benue State to declare for the Presidency.

Three other aspirants, Monday, March 28, were in Benue, also, for consultations. Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed of Sokoto and Bauchi states respectively were on hand to consult with the Benue State Governor on the thorny consensus candidacy.

All three had indicated interest in the Presidency.

They had initiated arrangement to trim down the number of Presidential aspirants on the platform of the main opposition party, PDP.

Receiving them at Government House Makurdi, Governor Samuel Ortom  insisted that anyone above 70 years should back out of the Presidential race.

Praising the resourcefulness and youth of his visitors, Ortom said:

“Nigerians can testify that during their time at the Federal level, they did very well and delivered on their mandate. And today, they are eminently qualified to lead this country.

“They are doing the right thing because divided we fall, united we stand. And, I want to encourage them to continue this advocacy and understanding and not just within themselves but with other people. They have said they are visiting the other people including our Southern brothers who have indicated interest to be President of this country. Let us work together. As PDP, even as the opposition, we have set standards for the ruling party.

“That is why PDP is willing and ready to rescue Nigeria, and then rebuild it. Truly, look at these three gentlemen, yesterday, we had another gentleman from Rivers State, Governor Wike, who declared here in Benue State that he was going to seek the Presidency.

“Look at these young men and compare them to the ancestors in APC that are seeking to be President of this country in a digital world. We should allow the young to grow. If I may quote one of my brother- Governors, anybody who is above 70 years, and is looking for President is an evil person who wants to ruin this country, he should desist.”

In his own words, former Senate President, Saraki spoke for others, saying the team was resolved to ensure consensus in the nomination of the Party’s Presidential candidate.

“We are here today as part of the ongoing consultation of the three of us who have shown indication to aspire for the presidency under our great party,  and who, also, on our own, about a couple of weeks ago, felt that the in the interest of our people as well the interest of our great party that we should be able to come together and find a consensus among us. Our interest is very little compared to our country at this time which is at a very defining moment.

“All of us are eminently qualified to lead this country; it’s about us ensuring that we put the country first and that is why we are here. What we are doing is in the best interest of our party and for our country,” he concluded.