Benue State’s political landscape is in turmoil as former Governor Samuel Ortom and the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), John Ngbede, engage in a war of words over alleged suspensions.
The controversy began when reports emerged that Samuel Ortom, who served as governor of Benue State until May 2023, had been suspended from the PDP.
However, Ortom vehemently denied these claims, asserting that he remains an active and influential member of the party.
According to Daily Post, John Ngbede, the embattled PDP chairman in Benue State, confirmed the suspension of Ortom and others, citing attempts to forcibly take over party leadership as the reason for this action.
According to Ngbede, the decision was made by the state working committee of the party to prevent a return to what he described as “the old order” characterized by malpractices and hijacking of voting materials.
Ortom, speaking through his media aide Terver Akase, dismissed the suspension claims, stating, “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.”
The former governor maintains that as the party leader in Benue, he cannot be suspended without due process.
In a twist to the unfolding drama, Ortom’s camp claims that it is actually Ngbede who has been suspended from his position as party chairman.
They assert that Ngbede, along with the party secretary and organizing secretary, were suspended for a month and therefore lack the authority to hold meetings or make decisions on behalf of the party.
Ngbede, however, dismisses his own alleged suspension, arguing that only the national executive committee of the PDP has the power to suspend him due to his position as a member of the national executive.
He stated, “Ordinarily, our tenure expires 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 a member of the national executive.”
The conflict appears to stem from deeper disagreements over the direction and control of the PDP in Benue State.
Ngbede accuses Ortom and his supporters of attempting to “take the party leadership by force” and trying to revert to practices that allegedly undermined democratic processes within the party.
On the other hand, Ortom’s camp suggests that Ngbede and his allies are clinging to power beyond their mandate, with their tenure reportedly having expired on August 4, 2024.
This power struggle has led to a situation where both factions claim legitimacy and accuse the other of overstepping their authority.
Amidst the escalating tensions, there are calls for utilizing the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms.
Ortom has advised the allegedly suspended state officials to present themselves before an investigative panel that has been set up to look into the matter.
This suggestion indicates a willingness to address the issues through established party procedures.
However, the effectiveness of these resolution attempts remains uncertain, as both sides continue to assert their positions and challenge the legitimacy of the other’s actions.
The ongoing crisis poses significant challenges for the PDP in Benue State.
As the main opposition party, internal cohesion is crucial for effectively challenging the ruling party and maintaining public trust.
The public spectacle of high-ranking party members trading accusations could potentially damage the party’s image and electoral prospects.
Furthermore, the dispute highlights the complexities of party politics in Nigeria, where personal ambitions and factional interests often clash with institutional processes and party unity.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Benue State chapter of the PDP finds itself at a crossroads.
The resolution of this conflict will likely have far-reaching implications for the party’s future in the state and its ability to present a united front in upcoming political contests.
The coming days and weeks will be critical as party members, stakeholders, and possibly the national leadership of the PDP work to resolve the crisis.
Whether through internal mechanisms or external intervention, finding a path to reconciliation will be essential for the party to move forward and refocus on its role as the opposition in Benue State.
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