Chief of Staff to Benue State Governor, Terwase Orbunde, at a meeting with Igede traditional rulers in Oju, yesterday, solicited their blessings on his desire to succeed his principal in 2023.
He also extended the compliments of the season to them.
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The meeting with First, Second and Third class chiefs as well as district heads from Oju and Obi local government areas took place at the palace of the First Class Chief at Oju.
The Chief of Staff stated that he sought the blessings of the fathers of the land on account of his historical and political links with Igede people over the years.
He stated that he had the privilege of making a contribution to the decision to choose the late Chief Ogiri Ajene as deputy governor and Moses Ajima a member of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in addition to the appointment of several other Igede sons and daughters into high government positions.
Orbunde said he was seeking to be Governor because he was familiar with the issues of statecraft and that if given the opportunity his priorities would include sustained security, mechanized agriculture and power for industrialization.
First Class Chief of Igede, Chief Oga Ero, cp rtd, led the royal fathers including Chiefs Daniel Ulegede and Chris Ijale, second class traditional rulers of Oju and Obi to give Orbunde their blessings.
PDP stalwarts from the area were present at the occasion.
These included Chief Godwin Owulo, State Zonal Chairman for Benue South, Atujor Oko and Bulus Ikpechi, PDP local government chairmen for Oju and Obi, and Oju council chairman, Clement Onaa, Peter Adikpe, Secretary Obi local government area who represented the council chairman who was indisposed.
Others were Rt Hon. Dr Adoga Ona, and Deputy Majority Whip in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Peter Onche.
Prominent Igede top state government officials present included Mrs Ladi Ajene, Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Ode Enyi, Special Adviser on Labour and Employment, Blessed Onah, Special Adviser, Religion, Ethics and Civil Society, Dan Onda, Board Member BIPC, Emmanuel Okoh, Senior Special Assistant, as well as Moses Egbodo,
member, Health Management Board.
On the entourage of the Chief of Staff were Rt Hon Ngunan Addingi, Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Professor Magdalene Dura, Special Advisers on Development Cooperation, and Politics, Dr Bem Dzoho, former Commissioners, Rt Hon Hycient Nyakuma and Comrade Joseph Shimaor, Principal Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism, Tahav Agerzua as well as Emmanuel Ukaa, Abuja-based business man.
