Insider attacks led to my dumping APC-Ortom

…..Governor’s defection a surprise-APC

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday said he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party as the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had lead in attacks against his personality.

Speaking at a gathering in which he formally announced his return to his old party, the governor said 10 out of the 17 state lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress were willing to join him in PDP.

Ortom formally announced his return to the opposition PDP, from where he had defected to APC on whose platform he was elected as governor in 2015, during a meeting with local government chairmen and councillors at the new banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi.

Thirteen local government chairmen and 276 councillors were in attendance.

He said: “The state chapter has continued to launch an attack on me.

“This morning, I had wanted to go to Abuja to attend the meeting, but some youths in the state refused; they asked me to go back.

“But let me formally inform this gathering that I have forwarded my resignation letter from the APC to the chairman of my council ward and he has promised to join me in the new party,” Ortom said.

Immediately he announced his resignation from APC, the governor displayed his resignation letter to the people.

“As I talk to you, 10 out of 17 state lawmakers of the All Progressive Congress are ready to follow me to the new party.

“May I formally announce to you that I have formally moved to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” governor Ortom declared.

Earlier, the 13 council chairmen and leaders of the legislative council in attendance had promised to follow the governor to the new party to support his re-election aspiration.

…Governor’s defection a surprise-APC

Meanwhile, the APC has described the move mad by the governor as “somewhat surprising.”

Spokesman of the APC, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement sent to Frontline News Online, that Otorm seemed satisfied with the intervention of the leadership of the ruling party.

The statement read in part: “The Party recalls efforts made by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to address some of the grievances raised by the Benue State Governor pertaining to the local politics in Benue State.

“The Governor had left the meeting saying he was satisfied with the assurances given by Party leaders. We are still working on giving effect to the resolutions from the meeting. Therefore, we are somewhat surprised by Governor Ortom’s decision.

“The Party reiterates its earlier position that it respects the rights of every citizen to chose their political affiliation but expresses hope that those who have left the Party will rescind their decisions.

“Even with this development, we don’t think it is too late for reconciliation. We have to continue to talk. As long as people keep their minds open and have the courage to put the real issues on the table, reconciliation is still possible.

“We once again call on members across the country to remain calm as the Party leadership continues to work hard to position the Party strongly for the next general elections.”

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