Internal Crisis Rocks PDP in Benue State

A deepening internal crisis has hit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Nigeria, as a faction allegedly loyal to former Governor Samuel Ortom has passed a vote of no-confidence on the state chairman, John Ngbede, the secretary, Joseph Nyam, and the organising secretary, Moses Audu.

According to reports, the three officials have been suspended for one month for allegedly imposing their interests and preferences on the party during the conduct of the ward congresses in Benue state on July 27. The party has also accused them of being loyal to former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The faction loyal to Ortom, led by the state publicity secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, has suspended the three officials, citing their mismanagement of the ward congresses and disregard for party guidelines. The party has also suspended Ortom himself, along with the state publicity secretary, Iortyom, and two others, on allegations of anti-party activities.

In response, the faction believed to be loyal to Suswam has accused Ortom, Iortyom, the state deputy chairman, Isaac Mffo, and the Zone A Vice Chairman, Azua Ashongo, of snatching ballot materials in several local government areas during the July 27 ward congresses and suspended them.

The crisis began when Ortom was still the governor of Benue state, when he picked a fight with the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, over his disposition to key policy issues and his allegiance to former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. This led to a rift within the party, affecting the then national chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, whom the Pro-Wike group of G5 governors, including Ortom, moved to remove from office.