Crisis: Ortom hails emergence of new national chairman 

…Blames suspended leadership for the party’s Challenges

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, on Sunday expressed deep concern over the latest developments in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which culminated in the suspension of the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five members of the National Working Committee of the party. 

Chief Ortom attributed the crisis to what he describes as a “lack of cohesion in the management of the party’s internal affairs by its leadership”.

He recalled that he had previously met with the party’s leaders and offered constructive advice on how to resolve the disagreements in a manner that would have produced a win-win situation for all stakeholders, but regrets that his counsel was ignored with impunity.

According to the former Governor, the PDP leadership had the opportunity to rise above personal interests and unite the party but failed in its responsibility. 

He states that democracy is fundamentally about inclusion and consensus-building, not high-handedness or exclusion.

“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views and interests come together to find common ground for the good of all. 

“It is, therefore, the responsibility of leaders to harmonize differing opinions and create a sense of belonging among members.

“Unfortunately, what we have witnessed in recent times is an attempt by a few individuals to run the party without recourse to collective consultation or internal democratic processes,” Chief Ortom noted.

The PDP Board member further expressed optimism that the party would overcome its current challenges, recalling that PDP had survived many storms in the past and had always emerged stronger whenever it embraced fairness, dialogue, and inclusiveness.

He therefore congratulated the newly appointed Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Mohammed Abdulrahman, on his emergence, describing it as a fresh opportunity for the party to heal and rebuild internal trust.

The former Benue Governor enjoined the new national chairman and his team to urgently liaise with the Board of Trustees and other organs of the party to initiate genuine reconciliation efforts that would give every member a sense of belonging and renew confidence in the party’s leadership.

Chief Ortom further called on the new leadership to promote inclusiveness, dialogue, and respect for all stakeholders, reminding them that no individual can succeed in isolation.

 He emphasizes that the PDP’s strength lies in its diversity, collective wisdom, and democratic culture.

The former national auditor of the party who spoke through his media adviser/ consultant, also appealed to all members of the party, to unite behind the new leadership and recommit themselves to the ideals and values of the PDP.

He reminded  party members that, as Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP has a duty to offer credible alternatives, hold the government accountable, and defend the principles of democracy and good governance.