Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has reiterated his support for his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party leadership has not been fair to the governor.
Insinuations in some media reports (not by Channels Television) that Ortom has defected from Wike’s camp have also been dismissed as a ruse as calls for the resignation of PDP Chairman Iyorchia Ayu intensify.
Ortom and Ayu are both from Benue State in North Central Nigeria, and the former revealed that he worked for the latter to get the job.
However, following the victory of Atiku Abubakar (from Adamawa State) in the PDP presidential primary in May, Wike and some serving and former governors in the party have demanded that Ayu resign so that a southerner can take his place.
They contended that northerners could not hold both positions, claiming that Ayu had promised to resign before the primary if a northerner emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. The controversy has splintered the party, as Ayu has insisted that he will not step down until the end of his four-year term.
Ortom, a well-known face in Wike’s camp who finished second in Atiku’s presidential primary, reportedly contradicted the Rivers governor on Monday when he said he worked for Ayu to become PDP chairman and therefore can’t work for his removal.
Ortom, on the other hand, stated on Tuesday, “There is no breaking away from our group.” I continue to sympathize with Wike for the injustices inflicted on him and our group.”
Nathaniel Ikyur, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, signed the statement.
“I just returned from London with Wike this morning, and I still stand by what I said.” I have not moved away from that location. Based on the activities that occurred during and after the convention, the party leadership has not been fair to Governor Wike.
“They have been unable to adequately deploy the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism to resolve those issues.” So I still sympathize with Wike and support the leadership of the party at the national level do the right thing. It is not too late to do so,” Ortom was quoted as saying.
