Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has been shielded by a Benue State High Court from any attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel or disqualify him from the upcoming senatorial race. Ortom intends to contest the Benue North‑West Senatorial District seat in the Senate.
On Thursday, Justice A.I. Itoyonyiman issued a restraining order in Ortom’s ex parte application (MHC/46/2023), which also named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a second respondent. The judge barred the PDP and its agents from expelling, suspending, or imposing any other punishment on Ortom pending the determination of his motion for an interlocutory injunction. Likewise, INEC was prohibited from acting on any communication from the PDP that sought to disqualify Ortom or remove his name from the ballot for the Benue North‑West Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections.
Ortom’s conflict with his party stems from his refusal to support the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. He is one of the “G‑5” governors at odds with Atiku, alongside Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State).
The court ordered that the interim injunction remain in force until the substantive suit filed by Ortom against the PDP is determined. The matter has been adjourned to February 24 for the hearing of that suit.
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