By isaac kertyo, makurdi
The peoples democratic party in benue state has suspended the former governor of the state, gabriel suswam, former minister prof nicholas ada, former speaker benue state house of assembly, mr terseer tsumba, former house of reps members, mr terngu tsegba and richard gbande, among others over gross insubordination.
Also suspended are; the party’s chairmen for ukum, gboko, apa, katsina-ala, konshisha, logo, gwer east and otukpo local government areas respectively.
It could be recalled that a faction of the state working committee, swc, had earlier suspended the immediate past governor of the state, samuel ortom, others over anti party activities, shortly after ward congresses of the party were held.
In a statement by the state publicity secretary of pdp, bemgba iortyom, the aforementioned members have been suspended from the party for a period of one month, and they have been directed to appear before the disciplinary committee for contravening pdp’s constitution.
The statement reads in part: “Recall that the party had summoned the affected persons yesterday, 7th august, 2024 to appear before the state working committee, swc, to answer to allegations made against them bothering on acts inimical to the good health and interest of the party, but rather than reciprocate the conciliatory gesture extended to them, they refuse to appear before the swc as required.”
The statement implored members of the party to remain law abiding and continue to keep faith with the pdp’s leadership as it looks forward to peaceful resolution of the quagmire in which the party finds itself.
Meanwhile, the national secretariat of the party, has allegedly directed the state executive committee of the pdp in benue state to exit their various offices, stressing that their tenure has expired.
The letter which was alleged to have been signed by the national organizing secretary of the party, mr umar bature, and addressed to john ngbede, the chairman of the party, showed that the current leadership of the state expired on august 8, 2024.
“This is to formally notify you of the expiration of the tenure of the current state executive committee of party in benue state, having being elected for four years ago, this is august 08, 2024. This expiration is due to effusion of time, pursuant to section (47) of the party’s constitution.”
Day break’s findings indicated that the crises rocking the state chapter of the main opposition party in the state was as a result of the struggle over who controls the pdp in benue state between former governors gabriel suswam and samuel ortom ahead of 2027 elections.
