Ede Ogaba Ede
Makurdi
Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State under the aegis of the Original PDP on Sunday endorsed the candidacy of former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam for the position of national chairman, just as the two times governor called for the exit of acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun.
Senator Suswam, who spoke at an interactive meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) with stakeholders of the party drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state held at the party State Secretariat in Makurdi said the acting national chairman and his backers are trying everything possible to stop the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from holding, including refusal to issue a notice of the meeting.
He, however, stated that whether he issued a notice of meeting or not, the meeting would go ahead on the 24th of October and that the acting chairman must give way.
Flanked by the State party chairman, Hon. Adaba Abah, Senator Suswam attacked the Damagun-led national leadership, describing it as a “transactional leadership” that is only interested in money and the ultimate destruction of the party.
He blamed the National Secretariat for the confusion in several state chapters of the party, where dissidents and people bent on destroying the party are assisted in holding sway, acting as if they own the party. He stated that the PDP is not owned by any individual but by the people of Nigeria and condemned the attempt by some individuals to hold the party hostage.
Suswam, who had earlier been endorsed by stakeholders from the North Central zone for the national chairmanship position stated that his main desire is to have a PDP that is strong enough to offer a vibrant and responsible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The state party chairman, Hon. Christian Adaba Abah expressed his support for the leadership and aspiration of Sen. Suswam and his efforts at ensuring the survival and continual relevance of the party.
In separate speeches, the immediate past state chairman, Sir John Ngbede, time Chairman, Chief Michael Iduma, Elder Udugh Nyitse, Hon. Cletus Upaa and representatives of former members of the National Assembly, serving and former members of the state Assembly, and former elected council chairmen, among others, all
declared their unwavering commitment to the PDP and the candidacy of Senator Gabriel Suswam.
They condemned the actions of those they call party saboteurs, asserting that the Benue PDP is not interested in dealing with cash-and-carry politicians.
The stakeholders meeting by the Christian Adaba Abah-led State Working Committee SWC adds to the political uncertainty in the Benue State chapter of the PDP with another State Working Committee said to be loyal to the immediate past Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, operating from another Secretariat.