The internal conflict within the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, as accusations are exchanged between former governor Samuel Ortom and the embattled state party chairman, John Ngbede. The turmoil has escalated following the suspension of Ortom and other key figures within the party.
Addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat on Otukpo Road, Ngbede provided insights into why Ortom was suspended. Ngbede asserted that Ortom and his associates were attempting to seize control of the party through forceful means. He claimed that their actions aimed to revert the party to a previous era characterized by irregularities and malpractices.
In response to his own suspension, Ngbede dismissed the actions as illegitimate, stating, “Only the national executive committee of the party could suspend me.” He further elaborated that their tenure was officially set to end on August 4, but they were awaiting instructions from the national secretariat. Ngbede emphasized, “The party belongs to the people, and that is what we want to do. We will not allow anyone to take us back to the old order where they will be hijacking voting materials.”
During the time journalists visited the party secretariat, Ngbede and the organizing secretary were seen preparing for a state executive committee meeting. This meeting was likely to confirm the suspension of Ortom and three other members.
In his defense, former governor Ortom, through his media aide Terver Akase, insisted that his suspension was not valid. Akase stated, “Ortom has not been suspended. He is the leader of the party in the state and any meeting that is called or going on without his consent is null.”
Ortom also countered that Ngbede could not preside over any meetings due to his own suspension. Despite these tensions, Ortom highlighted that the party has a mechanism for resolving conflicts. He urged the three suspended state officials to engage with the panel established to investigate the issues at hand.
