PDP asks panel to settle Ortom, Suswam rift

The Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday, inaugurated a 17-man caretaker committee to take charge of the party’s affairs in Benue State.

The party leadership tasked the committee, headed by Gen. Napoleon Bali (retd.), to resolve the Benue PDP internal crisis, particularly the feud between ex-governors Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam.

The Benue PDP has been factionalised and engulfed in an internal crisis shortly after the ward congress leading to suspension of and counter-suspension of party leaders.

A group loyal to Ortom, last week, slammed suspension on the Benue PDP Chairman, John Ngbede, the Secretary and Organising Secretary.

In a swift reaction, the party’s State Working Committee, loyal to Suswam, also slammed suspension on Ortom.

Ortom’s suspension irked his supporters who then summoned Suswam for probe over alleged anti-party activities.

As the ugly game continued, the PDP National Working Committee ordered the dissolution of the State Working Committee members whose tenure had expired and resolved to constitute a caretaker committee to oversee the party in the state.

Inaugurating the caretaker committee on Wednesday in Abuja, the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, emphasised that the committee should prioritise the party’s interests above personal agenda.

Damagum expressed confidence in the committee’s chairman to bring to bear his conflict resolution skills “as a retired general.”

While accepting the charge, Bali said he would be impartial, saying, “It is not a question of Ortom or Suswan, but by the grace of God. I, together with all these members of this committee, are going to unite them.”

In his remarks, Damagum said, “Your duty is simple, to usher in a new executive during this ongoing congress. This is not an easy task, you must avoid sentiments, selfishness and taking all even though you come from various interests. You must also put the party first, before your personal interest. Until you have a party in Benue, you will not be able to achieve in Benue. We have a daunting task.

“We all know the crisis there, that led to our bad outing during the last election and I am sure we should use this opportunity and you to correct that anomaly that made us lose that state, which is predominantly a PDP state.

“I am very happy with the selection of the chairman to lead the committee and enjoin, all of you to give the support he needs. The only way to succeed is through getting the necessary support. The Chairman is going to Benue to help you achieve reconciliation, progress that has so far been retarded within the party in Benue.

“You must work for an inclusive executive for the state. In any party, you have the good and the bad, you must carry all along, everyone is important.”

In response to questions from reporters shortly after the inauguration, Bali confidently stated that the PDP would reclaim Benue State in 2027.

He said: “We are going to work as a team and I want to tell Benue People that by the grace of God, the PDP is coming back and we are going to take over the leadership of Benue state in 2027.”