Gov Ortom and Sen Ayu


As subtle threats emerge over his Senatorial ambition, Benue State Governor  Samuel Ortom on  Sunday affirmed that no amount of  betrayals, intimidation and blackmail,  would weaken  his resolve to  stand for justice for his people


Gov Ortom,  speaking during an enlarged meeting with stakeholders from his senatorial district, the Jemgbagh PDP Elders Forum comprising Gboko, Tarka and Buruku Local Government Areas added that he would  never trade the interest of the State to gain political power. 


The meeting which held  at the instance of the Jemgbagh PDP Elders Forum,  sought to get clarifications on the cold war between the Governor and Senator Iyorchia Ayu. The meeting at the Gboko residence of the PDP stalwart, Hon. Mike Mku.


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that in the lingering leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gov Ortom belongs to the camp of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike which insists on the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.


Giving details of what snowballed into the current crises, the Governor dispelled insinuations that he is pulling down a Jemgbagh son, and  explained how he rallied support for the election of Sen.  Ayu against all odds.


He pointed out that he will never succumb to blackmail and keep silent in the face of injustice perpetrated by the PDP under Sen Ayu’s leadership.


Dailyledger.com.ng report that certain pseudo-groups claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Jemgbagh political block have been making insinuations against the Governor  accusing him of stoking the fire  against the interest of Ayu.


However,  Gov Ortom in  a lucid narrative,  explained his role in the emergence of the PDP National Chairman, Sen  Ayu and his position on  the lingering leadership crisis in the party


He explained that with the internal wrangling which  cropped up after the PDP Presidential convention, he advised Senator Ayu to reach out to aggrieved leaders of the party and plead for their understanding over calls for his resignation.


Rather than take his counsel, Ortom lamented that  Ayu chose to take the ignoble path of disuniting the party by his actions and utterances.


The Governor argued that the National Chairman did not maintain neutrality in handling the affairs leading to the PDP national convention, which produced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party.


He added that “Ayu himself committed to resigning should a northern presidential candidate emerge at the northern caucus at the Bauchi State lodge.”


The Governor wondered why  Ayu is now reneging on his promise, which he voluntarily made before all the northern leaders of the party.


Speaking on his senatorial ambition, Ortom maintained that power is given by God and “No one should blackmail me because of my senatorial ambition. Nobody should think he will intimidate me because of the senate election.”


According to the Governor, “If  God ordains me to be elected Senator for the Benue North-West Senatorial zone, no amount of blackmail or intimidation could prevent me from winning.”


The Governor told the Jemgbagh PDP Elders that  Ayu who is also from the Jemgbagh political bloc has mounted a smear campaign and blackmail against his person and office when he met members of the Board of Trustees of the PDP.


Ortom noted that since he is contesting for the Benue North-West Senatorial district seat, he has become a subject of intimidation and blackmail by some Jemgbagh stakeholders as a result of the internal crisis rocking the party.


The Governor told the Jemgbagh stakeholders to also invite Sen. Ayu and himself to a meeting so that they could both present their positions on the matter. 


Chairman of the Jemgbagh PDP Elders Forum, Mr  Sam Tsumba said the Forum will invite Sen.Ayu and Gov. Ortom to seek resolution of the crisis