The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not accept those who try to sneak into the party fold and become members.
He said the party only welcomes new members who join the party through the door and not through the window.
This also comes as Ortom called on party members to put the 2023 general elections on the back burner and unite to reclaim responsibility in 2027. He urged them to move forward and work together to achieve their goals.
Mr Ortom and his predecessor in the governorship, Senator Gabriel Suswamu, have been at loggerheads over control of the PDP in the state, although the former governor disclosed who he felt was trying to join the party by mistake.
The faction controlled by the two PDP leaders in the state suspended rival supporters.
However, during a courtesy visit by G14 members led by its Chairman, Dr. Raha Jebbah, Mr. Ortom yesterday described the PDP as a peaceful party, saying that no one has ambitions to transcend the party, and that no one is trying to divide the party. He warned other members of Congress to avoid it.
He commended the sacrifices and support of PDP elders in Benue State with the support of the G14 to ensure that the party remains strong and united to take back the party’s mandate in 2027.
Reacting to the actions of some of the aggrieved PDP members, Mr. Ortom said this after the State and District Assemblies said this. Party through the window because no one has a monopoly on issues, and we are a peaceful people, but those who take our peace for granted will face fierce resistance. Sho. ”
The former governor warned party members to desist as members of the party seek to disband the party’s elder statesmen in 14 Tiv-speaking local government areas, commonly referred to as G-14.
He said instead that elders should be praised for their sacrifices for party unity, adding that even leaders lack the authority to resolve groups.
The former governor also announced that the party will hold a state legislative session today, Thursday, October 3, 2024, to elect leaders who will oversee the party’s politics for four years.
“As I previously discussed with Senator Gabriel Suswam and Senator Abba Moro, I would have been happy if the election was by consensus, but we are not stopping anyone from running. ” he said.
Previously, he was the leader of G-14. Dr. Raha Jebe said the visit to Ortom was to commend his sacrifice and service to the unity and peaceful coexistence of party members.
He said they appealed to the former governor not to get distracted by the rumormongers, especially now that the party is poised to take over the leadership of the country and state.
The G14 deplored the situation where some PDP members are trying to bring in “divide and conquer tactics” to destroy the party that Ortom claims he built.
“We want to make it clear that Ortom is the leader of the party in the state and we are standing behind him and signaling. We will not allow the PDP to collapse in any way. I’m not going to fold my arms and watch over the interests of individuals who try to protect their party.What kind of high-ranking party would disband the G-14, which was formed to protect the image of the party?
“I want to make it clear here that there is no need to be alarmed by a protracted crisis within the party, because in politics you have to agree to agree, and you have to agree forever. “There are no friends or eternal enemies, so the current intra-party disputes will only make it stronger for the better,” he said.
