From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
Former Governor of Benue State and Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Samuel Ortom said he has no intention of contesting for any political position come 2027.
Ortom disclosed this in his Makurdi residence while playing host to members of the G14, a political group made up of elders from the 14 Tiv speaking Local Governments of the state, who paid him a solidarity visit.
Ortom told his party members that he would not be contesting any political positions in 2027 because his family and businesses suffered neglect during his tenure as Governor from the year 2015 to 2023.
He said after occupying several elective and appointive positions in the past, it was time for him to rest and give attention to his family and private business which all suffered due to his absence.
He said, “I am not vying for any elective position in 2027. I am focusing on my business and family because I abandoned them in my years of contesting for elections in politics.”
He however assured that he would remain active in politics promising to always work closely with the G-14 elders forum and support them to excel and continue to work and strengthen the party in the state.
Chief Ortom also dismissed claims that Senator Gabriel Suswam had dissolved the groups saying, “Nobody has the right to disband the G-14 even me as the leader of the party in the state. I do not have the powers to dissolve the group.
“So, continue to do you best to advocate for the PDP, continue to be the conscience of the party and encourage us to lead by the principles of our party. Do not hesitate to draw out attention when we derail so we can lead by the ideals of the constitution of the party.”
The former Governor who urged members of the PDP in the state to remain united ahead of the 2027 election urged those who had derailed to come back on track saying “the national leadership of the party had recognized the Ward and Local Government Congresses held in the state and on Thursday October 3, 2024 the State Congress will be held in Makurdi.
“You can see that most members of the last State Working Committee are here with us. Leaders from the 14 LGAs are all here so I urged those who are aggrieved to come back because we have enough places and even positions to accommodate everyone.
“And whoever wants to join the PDP in Benue State is welcomed. I will not stop anyone from coming into the party but I will not allow anyone enter through the widow.
“So I can confidently declare that we are a united family and we are on ground to ensure that the PDP bounces back in the state in 2027.”
Earlier, the leader G-14, Dr. Laha Dzever said the elders visited to thank the former governor for all his support for the party and for providing purposeful leadership for members.
Dzever also dismissed claims that the group had been dissolved by Sen. Suswam saying such was not possible.
He said the group was formed by elders of the party in the state to prevent it from collapsing and not by former Governor Suswam so he did not have the powers to claim that he had dissolve it when he was not the one that formed it.”
He urged the former governor as leader of the party to always deploy his wealth of experience to resolve the issues in the party as he had always done.
The National Chairmanship candidate of the party, Conrad Utaan commended the elders for their commitment to the party and thanked Chief Ortom for providing strong and genuine leadership to the party in the state.
