Benue PDP denies crisis report, says party leaders working in harmony

Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied media reports that it was embroiled in crisis over the ongoing consultation towards producing consensus candidates ahead of 2023 general election.

Governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom said, the claim in some online platforms were false.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Nathaniel Ikyur on Tuesday which was made available to CAPITAL POST, the governor insisted that leaders of PDP in Benue are harmoniously working to produce candidates through consensus.

The statement said: “The attention of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has been drawn to some online media reports alleging a split in the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) family over the ongoing consultation towards consensus candidates for the forthcoming elections. This is false.

“Ordinarily, we will not give attention to such unfounded gossip or accord its response with an official seal, but for the sake of the less knowledgeable about the political dynamics of the Benue state.”

The Press Secretary said, all stakeholders in the PDP family led by Governor Ortom have been meeting and consulting on all elective positions and the best way possible to produce candidates for the 2023 elections.

He said the reason for the consensus was to reduce rancour and to carry everyone along, revealing that all meetings that have been held so far were like a family meeting.

He said: “It is therefore a surprise to read media reports alleging a split in the ranks of our political leaders. There is nothing like that. At best, it is in the imagination of the writers, particularly the opposition party who have not developed the capacity for a harmonious and an all embracing election processes for the good of their members that are spreading baseless informations.

“It is a fact that the PDP family in Benue is united and working in one accord. Those trying to insinuate disaffection amongst our leaders will be disappointed because the PDP will come out from this exercise stronger and better prepared for victory in the 2023 general elections.

“We, therefore, urge all our members to disregard any insinuation to that effect. Governor Ortom is providing the right leadership in consultation with the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Gabriel Suswam and many others. And we shall sail to the promised undistracted”, the statement concluded.