Benue PDP stakeholders pass vote of confidence in Ortom, others

The Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Benue State have passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the party in the state.

Speaking at a press conference held in Makurdi on Tuesday, a spokesman for the stakeholders, Dr Laha Dzever stated that the party at this time needs to close ranks and place the interest of the party above individual interest.

Among those the party stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in are the immediate past governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, Senate minority leader, Senator Abba Moro, and the National Working Committee of the party led by Ambassador Damagum.

The opposition party in the state had been thrown into an internal crisis shortly after the ward congress, leading to the suspension and counter-suspension from the two factional groups of the immediate past governor of the state and his predecessors, Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam, respectively.

The National Working Committee of the party promptly waded in by appointing a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party following the expiration of the tenure of the state working committee.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Laha said, “We urge the Benue PDP family to more than ever before, close ranks and place the interests of the party above those of individuals or groups within its ranks.

The umbrella of the party is large enough to accommodate the aspirations of its members at the various opportunities for elective offices as will arise from time to time.

“None of these could have been achieved without the collective will, determination, and selflessness of the party’s college of leaders under the capable leadership of His Excellency Samuel Ortom, who is Benue PDP’s Leader and the Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Patrick Abba Moro, as well as His Excellency, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

“At this juncture, we unanimously pass a Vote-of-Confidence on the National Working Committee of our great party under the leadership of National Chairman, Ambassador Damagum. We also pass a vote of confidence on the Leader of the PDP in Benue State, His Excellency Chief Samuel Ortom, for the sacrificial work he has been doing tirelessly to reposition the party and keep it growing stronger towards the objective of recapturing power in the future elections.

“It is further our position that a vote-of-confidence is hereby passed on the Leader of the Opposition in Nigeria, Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Patrick Abba Moro, for his steadfast commitment to the well-being and growth of P, DP in Benue State and beyond, and for doing the party proud by the competent manner he is discharging his legislative and representative duties on the floor of the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

“We also pass a vote-of-confidence in the caretaker committee in affirmation of the good works they have embarked upon in the short time so far they have been in office at the helm of affairs of the PDP in Benue.”

While urging the losers of the just concluded ward and local government congresses not to be discouraged but to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith, the party stakeholders, however, admonished the winners to be magnanimous in victory by reaching out to those who aspired alongside with them.

The party stakeholders also urged all party members who have taken their grievances to court to withdraw their cases but to explore the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party to resolve all the issues.