By Emeka Amaefula
SUSPENSION OF BENUE STATE GOV.ORTOM: ORTOM WILL NOT APPEAR BEFORE PDP DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE -WIKE
The raging war of words between Rivers state Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party-PDP has been escalated with the invitation of one of the members of G-5 Governors being Benue State Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom who had been invited by the National Disciplinary Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The invitation for appearance is occasioned with the suspicion that the Benue state Governor involved in anti-party activities during the just concluded General elections in Nigeria which took place on 25th of February, 2023 and 18th of March, 2023.
The Rivers state Governor Wike in his reaction to the invitation of Dr. Ortom on Thursday 22nd of March, 2023 at Government House Port Harcourt said that Dr. Ortom will not appear before the Disciplinary Committee of PDP under the leadership of National Chairman Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. He described the action of National working Committee in the suspension of former Ekiti state Governor Ayo Fayose and other members of PDP over allegation of anti-party activity as a nullity.
“I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the National Working Committee made up of Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they say is the chairman of the party; Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary and other members of NWC, cannot suspend Ayo Fayose, not to talk about referring governor Ortom to national disciplinary committee.” he said. Governor Wike explained that the decision of the NWC to refer governor Ortom to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee is the height of all insult.
Before the conclusion of the general elections the Rivers state Governor Wike who took PDP to Abuja Federal High Court with an injunction against PDP for suspending him or expelling him from the party. The Rivers state Governor said “Referring a governor to your so called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it. Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this our party is concern.” Governor Wike stated emphatically that the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom will not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.
He enumerated the contributions of Benue state Governor as he said “Governor Ortom, who has stood firm for the unity of this country, governor Ortom who has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type you will say you’ll refer to that your kangaroo committee.”
The G-5 Governors before the elections demanded for the resignation of the National Chairman of PDP for equity and unity of the country since the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar hails from Northern part of Nigeria same as Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who is from Benue state North Central Geo-political zone of the country.The Rivers State governor said if anyone deserves to be suspended from the party, that person is Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices. “If there is any person deserving suspension it should be you (Ayu), who played anti party by refusing to obey the constitution of the party on zoning of political offices as is required. So, whoever tells you can suspend people, please tell the person that he is not serious.” Wike said.
In a Press statement made available by Kelvin Ebiri Special Assistant on Media to Rivers state Governor, stated that, “if you are talking of anti-party it is you who could not even deliver your unit, deliver your ward that is involved. Because of the fraudulent activities you are involved in, people have lost hope in you. That is why you cannot win your unit, win your ward.” He cautioned Ayu and the NWC to desist from threatening the G-5 governors and members of the Integrity Group with suspension. According to him, Ayu has by his recent action opened up a new chapter of political war in the party “You cannot cage any of us. Ortom will not appear before any of your so-called disciplinary committee. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee.”
Peoples Democratic Party-PDP lost the Presidential election conducted on 25th of February, 2023 which was won by All Progressives Congress APC Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is now President Elect of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
