Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday opened up on what appears to be one of his reasons for dumping the APC and returning to his old party, PDP.
Gov. Samuel Ortom
While speaking at a gathering in which he formally announced his return to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, claimed that the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress had continued to launch an attack on him.
The governor who made the declaration of his defection during a meeting with local government chairmen and councillors at the new banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi, said that 10 out of the 17 state lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress were ready to follow him to PDP.
“The state chapter has continued to launch an attack on me,” Gov. Ortom claimed, saying that was despite the intervention of APC national leadership.
Ortom displays his resignation letter from APC in Government House, Markurdi, on Wednesday. (Photo: John Charles)
The governor said his defection was based on his state's youths’ decision on banning him from making a trip to Abuja earlier on Wednesday, where he was supposed to meet with APC leadership.
“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.
Thirteen local government chairmen and 276 councillors and leaders of the legislative council who in attendance reportedly promised to follow the governor to the new party to support his re-election aspiration.