By Florence Ugbem
Abounu 2023 Youth Network was Thursday inaugurated with a charge to be dedication to the course, in order to clinch the governorship seat.
Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu gave the charge at his Campaign Office in Makurdi, where he declared his intention to run for the governorship position of state in the next general elections. He stated that the youth would form 70% of his administration with an age limit of 45 years.
Engr Abounu, who described the event as remarkable and happiest day, owing to the direct involvement of the youths, who he described as prime movers of his political campaign to propagate his 2023 project.
The deputy governor further described himself as the only individual in the Ortom administration to have worked with all the democratic dispensations in the state and is privileged to be the only aspirant from Benue South Senatorial District. He also explained that his reason for entering the race was to deliver democratic dividends and serve in the transformation of Benue, due to his vast experience in leadership.
Former Speaker Pro Tempore and Member of the House of Representatives, Chief Terngu Tsegba, while inaugurating the youth network commended the youths for their support for the deputy governor and assured them of the capacity of Engr Abounu to take Benue forward, due to his competence and experience.
In his remark, the Co-ordinator of the Abounu 2023 Youth Network, Mr Dan Atayi, stated that the youths are the strength of the nation, and appealed to youths from Benue North-East and North-West Senatorial Zones to ensure their votes count at the polls to enable Engr Abounu become the next Governor.
In separate comments, on behalf of the three Senatorial Districts, Youth Co-ordinator of Gboko Local Government, Mr Daniel Atov, that of Logo, Samson Igba and Collins Agida from Ohimini assured the deputy governor of their total commitment to enable him succeed in his ambition to take over from Governor Samuel Ortom, while President of West African Students Union, Mr Romans Pila urged Engr Abounu to ensure youths are always carried along in the course of his campaign and engage them in his government.
Goodwill messages were presented by Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Mr George Alli, his counterpart from Tarka, Mrs Juliana Suswam and that of Gwer-West, Mrs Grace Igbabon, who expressed belief in the ability of the deputy governor to continue in the legacies of Governor Ortom to protect the state from external forces, with a caution on the Abounu 2023 Youth Network not to get involved in smear campaign but sensitise Benue people on the credible candidature of Engr Abounu.