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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has debunked claims by its 2023 governorship candidate, Mr Titus Uba, that the party led by former Governor Samuel Ortom abandoned him while he was ill.
The party was reacting to what it described as “regrettable and false comments” made by the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba, at an event in Ute, Vandeikya Local Government Area in the state.
At the said event, Uba, accused the party of neglect following his illness. The PDP, speaking through its State Secretary, Comr Dan Nyikwagh said Uba’s comments were not only unfortunate, but also a fabrication of lies designed to justify his gross ingratitude.
Nyikwagh, in a statement made available to Sunday Sun in Makurdi said: “For the record, Rt. Hon. Uba’s claim that no member of the PDP contacted him during his illness is utterly false. Either the former Speaker is suffering from a concerning memory lapse, or he is being deliberately mischievous.”
He dismissed the claim that the PDP abandoned him, adding that former Governor Ortom ensured that he received the best care possible, stabilised him in Abuja and then flew him to Germany for specialist treatment, putting the intervention cost at N300 million.
His words: “Benue people will recall the arrangements made for Uba’s treatment abroad and the welcome party organised by the PDP upon his return. While he was away, elements within the state sought to substitute him as the gubernatorial candidate of our party, citing his health condition.
“It was Chief Ortom who stood firmly behind Uba, insisting that he remained our flag bearer against all odds. This was years after Chief Ortom had earlier facilitated Uba’s first party ticket on the platform of the APC, later made him Speaker, returned him for a second term as Speaker, and championed his gubernatorial bid.
“Even after the loss of the 2023 election, the party stood by Uba through his election petition, up to the Supreme Court in January 2024.”
The PDP further explained that as the custodian of the party’s updated register, Uba ceased to be a functioning member after 2023, when he voluntarily stopped attending party meetings and activities and halted all financial commitments to the party, an avenue from where the party sources funds to cater for its members.
Nyikwagh said it was both shocking and disgustingly ungrateful that Uba chose to publicly overlook a lifetime support, mentorship, and immense personal sacrifice from Chief Ortom, including gainful employment as Technical Manager in Ortom’s private company, an opportunity that set him up for life.
He clarified that the PDP is not a charity organization for personal medical care remarked, adding “it is also revealing that after eight years in the Assembly, enjoying all due emoluments as a Member and Speaker, Uba had no savings and relied on others for basic needs.”
“Truth be told, it is Uba who abandoned the PDP. By June 2024, during our ward congresses, he was absent. He remained absent through the state congresses and has since severed all ties with the party.
“To us, the former Speaker left long ago. We have since moved past his unfortunate chapter with us. His exit is good riddance.
