The Chairman of G-14, a group of Peoples Democratic Party leaders in Benue State, Dr. Laha Dzever, has rejected Senator Gabriel Suswam’s claim that he has disbanded the group.
In a statement on Saturday, Dzever emphasized that Suswam lacks the authority to dissolve the voluntary, non-statutory body, according to Independent.
Dzever explained that G-14 was formed in 2015 to complement the PDP’s statutory organs and promote unity and harmony within the party.
He noted that Chief Samuel Ortom, as Leader of the PDP in Benue State since 2018, remains the co-chairman of the group.
The G-14 chairman stressed that Suswam can only resign his membership but cannot disband the group.
Dzever traced the history of G-14, highlighting its role in rebuilding the party and reclaiming power in 2019.
Dzever appealed for calm and unity within the PDP, urging members to prioritize dialogue and collaboration over individual interests.
He expressed confidence in the party’s leadership, including Chief Ortom, Senate Minority Leader Patrick Abba Moro, and State Caretaker Chairman Napoleon Bali.
The development highlights the internal dynamics within the PDP in Benue State, with various leaders vying for influence and control. Dzever’s statement reaffirms G-14’s commitment to promoting unity and harmony within the party.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, Dzever called for a de-escalation of tensions and encouraged members to converge ideas and efforts to place the PDP above individual interests.
He emphasized that the dialogue table remains superior to conflict and passions.
The G-14 chairman concluded by urging party members to sustain their loyalty and faith in the party’s ability to overcome current challenges and emerge stronger.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to remarks credited to former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, to the effect that he has disbanded the G-14 Group of Elders of the PDP and replaced it with another body.
“We understand that those remarks were made at a meeting he held with some leaders and members of our great party (PDP) on Thursday 26th September, 2024 in Makurdi. After due consultations with members of the G-14, we state as follows:
“That G-14 is a voluntary, non-statutory body functioning in the PDP with the singular objective of complementing the work of the statutory organs of the party towards fostering unity, harmony and its continual growth. This objective essentially was the motivation behind the founding of the group in the year, 2015 and remains its propelling force.
“That G-14, by its nature and formative history, is not in the ownership of any individual and thus cannot be so disbanded, as Senator Suswam claimed to have done. Senator Suswam as a member of the G-14 can only resign his membership, if he so desires but has no locus standi whatsoever to disband it.
“When the PDP lost the Governorship and Benue North-East and North-West senatorial seats in 2015, the party was virtually in disarray. It was then that a group of elders led by Hon. Elder Ugba Uye in their wisdom formed the G-14 with the aim of saving the party from eventual disintegration. Senator Suswam was also invited to join the group which he gladly obliged.
“That as is the established tradition, the Co-Chairmanship status of the group rightly fell on His Excellency, Chief Samuel Ortom when he emerged as Leader of the PDP in 2018, and Chief Ortom remains the Leader of PDP in Benue State and has since functioned in that capacity with utmost sense of responsibility and statesmanship.
“This remains to date the leadership structure operational in G-14 and the status of the group remains unchanged as a voluntary group of party elders drawn from the 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the Benue North-East (Zone ‘A’) and Benue NorthWest (Zone ‘B’).”
Dzever further pointed out “That as elder statesmen and women of integrity in the PDP, we are mindful of the unfortunate circumstances of the crises which have fallen to the lot of our dear great party, PDP, lately, and do see a need now, as we saw in 2015, when we lost the Governorship and two Senate seats to the APC.
“The G-14 stood firmly and worked tirelessly and brought PDP back to power in 2019. The G-14 would therefore not relent its efforts in rebuilding the party to reclaim power in 2027. It is our strong desires to continue to strengthen the common bonds which hold us together as a political family. We will at all times, tow the path of peace and oneness of purpose in the party.
“That we are aware of Senator Suswam’s contributions to this great party, the PDP, and as elders we understand the pressures which the current crises in our party have occasioned on its leaders, Senator Suswam, inclusive. We, therefore, understand that he might have made such remarks purporting to disband G-14 without thinking clearly enough through them.
“For under different circumstances, Senator Suswam as a lawyer, will be mindful that he is not either the PDP State Chairman or the National Chairman of PDP and he is not in a position to disband G-14 but only has the right to resign his membership of the group as earlier stated.
“That we remain more than ever committed to the ideals which motivated the founding of G-14 in 2015 and in line with those ideals, we will redouble our efforts to find lasting solutions to those issues causing crises in our great party. We will explore all avenues open to us to seek the achievement of reconciliation, peace and stronger unity in the ranks of the PDP in Benue State just as we did in 2015 when PDP lost power to APC.
“That we call for a de-escalation of tensions by leaders and members of our great party, no matter their grievances, and for all of us to take deliberate steps towards the convergence of ideas and efforts to place PDP above individual interests. The dialogue table, as always, remains superior to weapons and passions of war.
“That G-14 will continue to work with the statutory as well as conventional organs of the party towards the attainment and sustenance of its best interests at all times. We acknowledge the exceptional sacrificial support being given to the running of the party in the state by its College of leaders led by His Excellency Chief Samuel Ortom; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro and State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Napoleon Bali and the Caretaker State Working Committee.
“That in line with the best interests of the party, we acknowledge and express confidence in the work of the National Working Committee of our great party under the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. We urge all party men and women to sustain their loyalty to the party in the faith that we will weather the storms of crisis currently with us and emerge stronger than ever.
“In conclusion, we call for peace, spirit of sportsmanship, tolerance, dialogue, collaboration, cessation of all forms of hostilities and litigations within the party,” Dzever appealed.