2023: Chief McDickson withdraws from Benue Guber Race
A Frontline governorship aspirant in Benue State, Chief Noah McDickson has withdrawn from the 2023 governorship race.
In a statement signed and made available to Business Africa Digest in Abuja, the bridge builder cited greed, political sabotage on the part of Benue South political leaders as responsible for his sudden decision.
He said that his desire to run the race initially was for the Benue zone C to see reason and demand for the Governorship position of Benue South extraction.
He further explained that “the unfolding political events among us as a people have clearly demonstrated that we aren’t ready yet for that”, adding that any attempt by anybody to make advancement in that direction would be resisted by those who currently control the political affairs of the zone
Read the Full text below:
DECISION TO STEP ASIDE FROM THE 2023 GOVERNORSHIP RACE
Following the numerous consultations I have carried out in respect of my aspiration to contest the Governorship position of Benue State in 2023, came a resolution for me to give up on my Governorship ambition. As a result, I hereby cease from any further political contest and agitation towards the 2023 Governorship election in the state. Passionately, I am appealing to all my political loyalists, fans and supporters who wished and prayed earlier for my emergence as the Governor of the state not to be so bitter but to take it in good faith like I did as this occurrence is coming to you as a surprise and disappointment. My stepping aside from the race is not for fear of anybody, neither that I’m not qualified, competent or credible for the position but due to certain challenges that bother on the political sabotage, instability, and greediness which have bedeviled the Benue South Senatorial District’s politics. My agitation to contest was propelled by the strong propensity for the political libration of my people of the Benue South and the entire state was never for a personal aggrandizement but unfortunately enough, the unfolding political events among us as a people have clearly demonstrated that we aren’t ready yet for that. Therefore, any attempt by anybody to make advancement in that direction would be resisted with a stiff opposition by those who currently control the political affairs of the zone without considering the interests of the people. Based on this, I considered it an exercise in futility; a wasteful venture of time, energy and resources if I should insist on my aspiration to contest the governorship position. I still maintain my stand like I have earlier revealed right from the onset to those who are politically acquainted with me that I am not a desperado, as a result, I see no reason why I should be most desperate despite the many proofs and evidences which indicated that the Benue South is unprepared to confront the political reality we are facing with in the state for our benefits and the posterity of our incoming generations. What more is our political position in Benue State today if I may ask? If not Lamentation, blame game, and begging and lobbying for political appointments. Could I call this a bewitchment? No, but if at all it is then, we should be held responsible for this calamitous political bewitchment that is brought on us through political dissension and betrayal among the people of the zone that have placed us at mercy of the Tiv extraction. With the aim to recover the political destiny and to break the fetter of the prolong democratic subjugation which has existed for years birthed the formation of the Benue Rebirth Movement BRM to champion the political agitation and emancipation of the zone to ensure someone becomes the Governor comes 2023. Unfortunately, the decisions of this movement were greatly undermined and lightly esteemed by some politicians who should have supported this noble course with keen interest so as to overturn the decades of the political fugitives on our part that has rendered us politically illegitimate as it relates to Governorship position in the state. Taking a clue from the last party primaries, one would have thought the Benue South Senatorial District, Zone C, could have ruggedly competed with both the Zone A and B to ensure a candidate emerged from either of the parties to mark our seriousness and not just a mere agitation of political hypocrisy as might be taken by analysts. Sadly, things went in the old ways; the very unpatriotic nature of the people of Benue south was manifested against their own. My concern as it affected my stepping aside from the race is that, if the delegates who were hypothetically selected from their parties could be lured to betray their aspirants as directed or dictated by the parties’ authorities in the Benue South, it means that any emerging candidate under any other party platform would absolutely be left to his fate without getting the needed encouragement from any. Again, those parties’ primaries were to be used to determined how readily the Benue South is towards the governorship election but for the fact that those delegates willingly donated their votes against their own was a bad omen which indicated that every other person shall be voted against in favour of the opponent. Therefore, I counted it not necessary for me to dissipate my energy, waste my time and resources since the handwritings on the wall are quite elucidated for all to read to take their political destiny in their hands. Meanwhile, let me once again thank my fans and supporters for the show of love and trust they’ve demonstrated towards the actualization of my political aspiration. Thanks so much for your understanding and God bless.
Chief Noah McDickson
