The crisis within the Benue state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has intensified, with the suspended State Chairman, Mr. John Ngbede, and two other suspended State Working Committee members, retaliating by suspending the party’s leader and former Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom.
Ngbede, accompanied by the other suspended members, arrived at the party’s state secretariat to announce Ortom’s suspension, claiming that his own suspension was invalid since only the National Executive Committee could suspend him.
He attributed the crisis to the recent Ward Congresses, stating: “Ordinarily, our tenure expired on August 4, but we are waiting for the directive of the National Secretariat. It’s only the State Executive Committee of the party that can suspend me by virtue of my position as member of National Executive.”
Ngbede added, “It is true that the former Governor was suspended by the State Working Committee of the party because what we are saying is that we will not allow anyone think he can take the leadership of the party by force.”
However, Chief Ortom’s Media Aide, Terver Akase, dismissed Ngbede’s claims, emphasizing that Ortom remains the party’s leader in the state and that any meeting convened without his consent is null and void.
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 and void. The chairman of the party in the State, John Ngbede, the secretary and the Organizing Secretary are on suspension.”
Akase pointed out that the party has a conflict resolution mechanism and advised the suspended SWC members to appear before the investigative panel.