Governor Gabriel Suswam has thrown his hat in the ring, as he challenges Senator Gabriel Suswam in the race for Benue North East senatorial zone.

Gemade of the Peoples Democratic Party will be completing his first term next May, but the likelihood of his returning is suspect, as Suswam muscles in.

Suswam: endorsement for Senate by elders

Elders of the zone, appeared to have decided adversely against Gemade as they purchased both expression of interest and party nomination forms for Suswam at the state secretariat of the PDP in Makurdi.

Presenting the forms to Suswam, the leader of the delegation, Atoza Ihindan, said the governor had the requisite skills to represent the zone at the Senate.

He said that the decision was the collective resolve of the people to support the governor’s senatorial ambition.

Responding, Suswam expressed appreciation of the gesture and prayed for wisdom to serve.

About 100 elders from the seven local government councils that comprised the zone witnessed the purchase of the forms.

Suswam later told newsmen that he was not intimidated by some Abuja-based politicians that peddled rumours of sponsorship from the party secretariat.

He said those who depended on the party at the national level to sail through would be defeated as the elections would be done in the state and not in Abuja.

The governor assured the people that there would be “no Abuja influence in the delegate election in Benue; the election will be conducted here in the state.

“None of this election will be conducted anywhere outside Benue”.

” The whole thing will be localised, those depending on interference from Abuja will be disappointed. I believe in free and fair elections and the whole thing will be transparent. To demonstrate my commitment to free and fair elections, I will not even be in the state on the day of the election; this is to tell you that I don’t have to be around to win elections in this state,” he said.

He, however, warned those planning to introduce unwholesome practices during the elections to desist or face the wrath of the law.

” I will use my enormous powers as governor to bring down any untoward conduct during the elections.”