Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has voiced concerns over recent developments in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that resulted in the suspension of National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and five National Working Committee members. Ortom attributes the crisis to a lack of cohesion in the party’s internal affairs management by its leadership. He recalled meeting with party leaders and offering advice on resolving disagreements, but his counsel was ignored.
According to Ortom, the PDP leadership missed an opportunity to unite the party because it prioritized personal interests over collective goals. He emphasized that democracy depends on inclusion and consensus‑building rather than high‑handedness or exclusion. The former governor noted that the PDP has survived past challenges by embracing fairness, dialogue, and inclusiveness.
Ortom congratulated the newly appointed Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, viewing his emergence as a chance for the party to heal and rebuild internal trust. He urged Abdulrahman to work with the Board of Trustees and other party organs to launch genuine reconciliation efforts that promote inclusiveness, dialogue, and respect for all stakeholders. Ortom reminded the new leadership that the PDP’s strength lies in its diversity, collective wisdom, and democratic culture, and called on party members to unite behind the new leadership and recommit to the party’s ideals and values.
As Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP has a duty to offer credible alternatives, hold the government accountable, and defend democratic principles and good governance. Ortom’s statement, released through his media aide Terver Akase, highlights the need for the party to come together and reaffirm its commitment to democracy and the values it represents. With the new leadership in place, the PDP faces an opportunity to rebuild, address emerging challenges, and move toward a more unified and effective opposition.
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