From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
As the crisis in the Benue Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, the coalition of PDP Youths in Benue state has passed a vote of confidence on the leader of the party and immediate past governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, to express their solidarity with him over the crisis currently rocking the party.
Addressing a press conference in Makurdi on Thursday, the youths led by the President, Prince Aondona Isaka, and flanked by other members, Austine Adanwo Christabel Saawuan, David Mzer, Blessing Abah among others, said they are deeply concerned over the recent happenings in the party and also align completely with the good leadership Ortom is providing for the PDP in Benue.
Speaking for the youths, Isaka said they are dismayed over a purported, non-existing suspension notice against Chief Ortom, a script they said was written, sponsored by some unscrupulous elements and acted by the suspended Secretary of the PDP in Benue, Dr. Joseph Nyam.
He described the statement suspending Ortom as childish maintaining that Chief Samuel Ortom is not suspended, but remains the leader of the PDP in Benue State.
According to him, Nyam, at the time of writing the release to suspend a member from the party was already validly suspended from holding his position as State Secretary of PDP and there is no provision in the constitution of the PDP which allows an individual to suspend a member of the party in such an arbitrary manner.
The youth president said “Sir John Ngbede, Dr. Joseph Nyam and Moses Audu as State Chairman, State Secretary and State Organizing Secretary of the PDP in Benue were validly suspended from office by 9 out of 13 members of the State Working Committee members of the party constituting more than two thirds majority in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“So any action taken by the trio after their suspension is a unconstitutional, null and void.”
The youths passed a vote of no confidence and condemn in totality the alleged anti-party activities, comments, actions and inaction of Senator Gabriel Suswam whom they also accused of frolicking and hobnobbing with the opposition and publicly showering encomiums on the state Governor during and after the PDP case against Governor Hyacinth Alia.
They commended Chief Ortom for his maturity, steadfastness, benevolence, humility, discipline and love for the PDP despite several cases of betrayal that he has faced from some stakeholders of the party.
Describing Chief Ortom as a rare leader with a large heart and forgiving spirit they said those who are not satisfied with Ortom’s leadership are the real enemies and people who do not mean well for the party.
They called on members of the public to disregard the news of the suspension of chief Ortom from the PDP as the rule and procedure cannot change overnight to satisfy a group that is out to undermine its leader.
The youths urged Ortom not to be distracted by the divisive tendencies and desperate moves of enemies of the party masquerading as stakeholders assuring that their motives and antics and that of their sponsors will fail woefully.