2023: ORTOM ABANDONS WIKE AND SUPPORTS THE CONTINUATION OF AYU AS PDP CHAIRMAN, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS FOR ATIKU

Benue state governor Samuel Ortom says he is not among those calling for the resignation of Peoples Democratic Party national chairman Lyorchia Ayu (PDP).

Ortom's statement contradicts that of Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies, of which he was a member.

Since the party's election of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its standard-bearer in May. As a condition for supporting the PDP presidential candidate, the group has insisted that Ayu resign.

Ortom expressed confidence in Ayu's ability to lead the party to victory in next year's general election in a statement issued by Nathaniel Ikyur, his chief press secretary.

The governor was responding to allegations made by the Jemgbagh Development Association in Abuja that he was plotting the demise of a fellow Benuean, Ayu.

He said he worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens, to ensure that Ayu was elected "as the national chairman of our great party even against all odds".

"The governor could not, therefore, turn around to work against him to be removed from office," the statement reads.

"Governor Ortom vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr lyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration. That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the northern caucus of the party and got elected as the national chairman of the PDP at the party's convention.

"Where was Jemgbagh Development Association, when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu PDP's National Chairman? What was their contribution to that project that they now want to use clannish stance to blackmail the governor?"