From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
As the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State lingers, a group of elders of the party called G-14, has told the former of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam that he lacks the powers to dissolve them as he claims to have done but that he can only resign his membership of the group.
G14 comprises of PDP elders from 14 local government areas of Tiv ethnic group.
Sen. Suswam at a stakeholders’ meeting last Friday said he has disbanded them and plans to replace it with another group to be known as caucus members of the party with its members to cut across the state.
The group says it exists as a voluntary, non-statutory body of the PDP with the objective of complementing the work of the statutory organs of the party towards fostering unity, harmony and its continual growth and cannot be unilaterally disbanded as claimed by Senator Suswam.
The G-14 in a statement on Saturday, September 28, 2024 signed by its Chairman, Dr. Laha Dzever and made available to journalists explained that the group was formed in 2015 when the PDP lost the Governorship and two Senate seats in Benue and was in disarray with the view of repositioning the party.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to remarks credited to former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, to the effect that he has disbanded the G-14 Group of Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and replaced it with another body.
“We understand that those remarks were made at a meeting he held with leaders and members of our great party last Thursday in Makurdi, and following due consultations with members of the G-14 , we make the following clarifications:
“That G-14 is a voluntary, non statutory body functioning in the PDP with the singular objective of complementing the work of the statutory organs of the party towards fostering unity, harmony and its continual growth. This objective essentially was the motivation behind the founding of the group in the year 1998 and remains its propelling force.
“That G-14, by its nature and formative history, is not in the ownership of any individual and cannot be so disbanded, as is being claimed Senator Suswam purports to have done. Senator Suswam is a member of the G14, like every other member , and can only resign his membership if and when he no longer sees the need to continue with such membership. He has neither the proprietary right nor locus whatsoever to disband G14.
“That for emphasis, G-14 came into existence and embarked on a mission to rescue PDP in the aftermath of the disastrous loss of the 2015 elections under the leadership of Senator Suswam then as governor, including his own Senate seat. The group in pursuit of its Rescue Agenda had invited Senator Suswam as the Leader of the PDP in Benue State then, to take a place on its leadership structure as a Co-Chairman alongside the substantive Chairman in the person of Elder Dr. Laha Dzever.
“That as is the established tradition, the Co-Chairmannship status in the group rightly fell to His Excellency, Chief Samuel Ortom when he emerged as Leader of the PDP in 2018, a position he has been discharging to date with utmost sense of responsibility and statesmanship. This remains to date the leadership structure operational in G-14 and the status of the group remains unchanged as a voluntary group of party elders drawn from the 14 local government areas of the Benue North-East (Zone ‘A’) and Benue North-West (Zone ‘B’).
“That as elder statesmen and women of proven integrity in the PDP, we are mindful of the unfortunate circumstances of the crisis which has befallen our dear great party, PDP, lately, and do see a need now, as we saw in 2015, to rise to the occasion to rescue PDP. The G14 will not relent in its efforts to rebuild the party, to reposition it to reclaim power in 2027, and for the restrengthening of the common bonds which hold us together as a political family, and our shared values under the same political umbrella. We, therefore, will at all times tow the path of peace and oneness of purpose.
“That we are aware of Senator Suswam’s contributions to this great party, the PDP, and as elders we understand the pressures which the current crisis in our party has occasioned on its leaders, Senator Suswam, inclusive. We, therefore, understand that he may have made such remarks purporting to disband G-14 without thinking clearly enough through it. For under different circumstances, Senator Suswam as a lawyer will be mindful that he is not either the PDP State Chairman nor the National Chairman of PDP and he is not in a position to disband G-14 but only has the right to resign his membership from G14.
“That we remain more than ever committed to the ideals which motivated the founding of G-14 and in line with those ideals, we will redouble our efforts to find lasting solutions to those issues causing crisis in our great party. We will explore all avenues open to us to seek the achievement of reconciliation, peace and stronger unity in the ranks of the PDP in Benue just as we did in 2015 when PDP lost power to APC.
“That we call for a de-escalation of tensions by leaders and members of our great party, no matter their grievances, and for all of us to take deliberate steps towards the convergence of ideas and efforts to place PDP above individual interests. The dialogue table, as always, remains superior to weapons and the passions of war.
“That G-14 will continue to work with the statutory as well as conventional organs of the party towards the attainment and sustenance of its best interests at all times. We acknowledge the exceptional sacrificial support being given to the running of the party in state by its College of leaders led by His Excellency Chief Samuel Ortom; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro and State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Napoleon Bali and the Caretaker State Working Committee.
“That in line with the best interests of the party, we acknowledge and express confidence in the work of the National Working Committee of our great party under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun. We urge all party men ana women to sustain their loyalty to the party in the faith that we will weather the storms of crisis currently with us and emerge stronger than ever” it concluded.
