Headline

My Victory Is For Benue People-Governor Ortom

Published

7 years ago

March 25, 2019

Editor

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with utmost humility and gratitude to God that my Deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, and I accept the second mandate of Benue people expressed through the just concluded ‘inconclusive’ elections.

I thank God, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings for the sweet victory. In the Bible, King David said in the Psalms: “Some boast of chariots, and some of horses but I boast in the name of the Lord my God.” Having dedicated the State to God, I invite all the people of Benue to become more committed in obeying and serving God as it is instructed in Job 36:11 that ‘If they obey and serve Him they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.

2. I dedicate this victory to God, who assured me long ago that there will be giants on the way to hinder but He will surely grant me victory. I also dedicate this victory to the good people of Benue State and especially all members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

3. This victory is for all. I call on all those who contested with me to join me so that together we shall build the Benue of our collective dream.

4. As we celebrate let us engage in behavior that will promote peace and reconciliation. Avoid use of hurtful and insultive political and folk songs. By the grace of God, I will setup a Peace, Truth and Reconciliation Committee. This will enable us to find ways to “truly forgive one another, reconcile and usher in peace and development in Benue State.”

5. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our first term, mistakes were made, and lessons have been learnt. By the grace of God, mistakes will be corrected and our new mandate will be greater than the first in delivering dividends of democracy to our people. Our days in the wilderness are over. The Bible assures us that “better is the end of a matter than the beginning”.

6. I wish to deeply appreciate the entire people of the state and the various sacrifices they have made during this election. We appreciate INEC staff, security personnel, election observers, and Benue voters who have worked for the success of the elections.

7. I specially appreciate my lovely wife, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom for her support and staying power throughout the campaigns. I also appreciate the State chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sir John Ngbede, and all members of the State Working Committee, our party leaders, Senators David Mark and Iyorchia Ayu, Senators elect, Rt. Hon. Dr. Gabriel Suswam, Rt. Hon. Orker Jev, and Comrade Abba Moro, as well as all our newly elected leaders at all levels for their great roles in our collective victory.

8. I equally appreciate the DG and members of our campaign team, our canvassers, our party members and supporters for the great job they have done. They gave their all. I thank all members of the State Executive and Security Councils for their roles in this victory. Our God is good.

9. Thank you, thank you and thank you so very much.

10. In God we trust.

Headline

UK Court Acquittal: Diezani Goes Spiritual, Says God Will Always Be God

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to her acquittal by a London court after bribery charges brought against her were dismissed.

The Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday acquitted the former minister of all charges, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Reacting to the judgment, Alison-Madueke expressed relief and said she and her family had endured years of emotional distress over the case.

Speaking to News Central, she said she has remained in the United Kingdom since the legal proceedings began 11 years ago.

She said: “I’m just thankful to God, it’s been arduous, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, friends, my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt and for my son.

“It has been a hard journey, but I tell you this, God will always do as He will. God will be God and God is not a man that He should lie; when He promises you something, He will see it through.

“For almost 11 years I have been here. I did my job to the best of my ability.”

Headline

I Never Saw Report that Led to Natasha’s Suspension, Says Ireti Kingibe

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, says she did not see any report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Kingibe made this disclosure on Wednesday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

She said she was at a retreat with Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, when she heard about the report.

“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee.

“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.

“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it.

“I even complained to other Senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.

Headline

UK Court Clears Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke of All Corruption Charges

Published

4 days ago

June 17, 2026

Eric

Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was on Wednesday found not guilty by a London jury of six bribery charges, after ‌a rare corruption trial of a high-profile former energy official.

Alison-Madueke, minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan, stood trial charged with five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denied.

Prosecutors ⁠alleged Alison-Madueke, 65, was given “a life of luxury” in London from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, which has long grappled with mismanagement and corruption.

But the former minister, who was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said she never took any bribes and had no real influence over the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

After a trial at London’s Southwark ‌Crown ⁠Court, Alison-Madueke was acquitted by a jury of all six charges she faced after more than 46 hours of deliberation.

The not guilty verdicts are a major blow to British authorities, which began their investigation into corruption allegations against Alison-Madueke ⁠more than a decade ago.

Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who was charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke ⁠and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke’s brother Doye Agama, 69, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery ⁠with his sister relating to payments made to Agama’s church.

Both Ayinde and Agama denied the charges against them and were also acquitted by the jury.

Source: Reuters