From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A group known as Concerned PDP Members has stated that enemies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were responsible for sponsoring media attacks on the former Benue State Governor and leader of the party, Chief Samuel Ortom.
Concerned PDP Members stated this in response to a call by “Benue PDP Foundation Group” for the suspension of Chief Ortom describing their act as mischievous and unacceptable.
The declaration followed the accusation of anti party activities leveled against the former governor by the Benue PDP Foundation Group, calling on the state executive committee to suspend him from the party.
The Coordinator of Concerned PDP Members, Samuel Akough, described the group as mercenaries paid to drag the hard-earned name of Ortom into the mud.
The statement reads in part: “A faceless group which calls itself “Benue PDP Foundation Group” made unfounded accusations against the former Governor of Benue State and Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.
“The outing of the nondescript group is another poor job by paid agents who have been mobilized by some individuals who are threatened by the high political profile of Chief Ortom and are desperate to pull him down by all means.
“It must first be established that the character who signed the said press statement and could not even spell his name correctly “Mchael Aberagi” is not in the membership register of our great party in any Ward of Benue State.
“We hasten to challenge the faces behind the hood of the group (their sponsors) to step forward and make their claims instead of using mercenaries to attack Chief Ortom.”
Akough described the former Governor as a man of integrity and honour who stands by his convictions and speaks his mind on issues, no matter who is involved.
“We are confident in him as the leader of our great party and we will continue to stand with him.
“We are well aware of clandestine moves by some individuals who are planning to take over the structures of the party. They calculate that the only way their plot can succeed is to chase Chief Ortom out of the party, hence their resort to cheap blackmail, propaganda and manipulation.”
While stating that such plan was dead on arrival, the group said “The soul of the PDP is not up for sale to the highest bidder.
“The party’s Congresses are fast approaching. The motive of the sponsors of the campaign of calumny against Chief Ortom is to hijack the party congresses and install their stooges. This plan too will be stoutly resisted by we true members of the party,”