March 18, 2024
Achieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Terhile Conrad Utaan, has expressed interest in the office of the party’s national chairmanship.
Utaan had sued Dr. Iyorchia Ayu at a Makurdi High Court and got an interim injunction that restrained him from parading himself as the PDP National Chairman after his Igyorov Ward Exco suspended him.
The suit eventually led to the suspension and removal of Ayu from office.
In a statement yesterday, Utaan said: “I will be addressing a world press conference to formally announce my bid for National Chairman of the PDP on Thursday, March 21, at the Benue State secretariat of the party after a meeting with the State Working Committee of the PDP.
“Within the week, my media team will release an itinerary of my engagements for the weeks ahead, where I intend to consult the leaders of the party within the state before I embark on my national tour.
“It is my hope that in the next few days, during my engagements, I will be seeking the support of blessings of the following leaders of the party in the state: His Excellency, Chief Samuel Ortom, Distinguished Senator David Mark, Distinguished Senator Abba Moro, Distinguished Senator Gabriel Suswam, Titus Uba, Sir John Ngbede, and a host of others.
“The time to rebuild and regrow the PDP is now and it is my desire to provide that leadership.
“I am qualified, I am competent, I am capable to provide the energy required to pull our great party out of the shadows of 2023.”
Utaan, who hails from Guma Local Government Area, is the second Benue indigene to have indicated interest to replace Dr. Ayu as PDP National Chairman.
The first is former governor and Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam.
Utaan, a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture (now J. S. Tarka University of Agriculture) in Makurdi, was the Focal Person for the Social Investment Programme (SIP) in Benue State.
He is known as a grassroots mobiliser with a strong links among youths, women, and the less privileged.
In his declaration, Utaan had written: “I created this vacancy and, therefore, have the right to challenge for the prize that has become available, consequent upon my risk and sacrifice for the survival of our great party.”
