2023: Governor Ortom Says PDP Not Sincere With Reconciliation

By Akinwale Kasali

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who is also a member of the aggrieved five Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, popular as the G-5, has disclosed that the Iyorchia Ayu-led PDP is not sincere with its reconciliation approach.

Ortom added that the leadership of the PDP should be held responsible if the reconciliation moves fail with weeks to the 2023 General Elections.

He claimed that the leadership of the PDP is not using the right approach in addressing the issues with the aggrieved Governors who are bent on Ayu resigning as the National Chairman of the Party.

In an interview with journalists Wednesday, Ortom said that there has been no efforts by the leadership of Party in addressing the issues raised by the G-5 members who include Ortom, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Ikpeazu of Abia, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

According to him, “They have not been able to adopt methods that will pacify and placate the G5. This is not right. So, on the G5, that is where we are.

“Arrogance, impunity, mischief, will not really help matters. One will expect that humility, it is said that you stoop down to conquer even if you want to make it,” Ortom said.

The former All Progressives Congress, APC, member added that the leadership of the PDP should have been proactive and humble in addressing members’ grievances.

“There are many ways if you have proactive leadership, a leadership that is humble. But when you treat people like they call us that ‘they are children’. I mean, a man of 62, how is he a child? A man at 50, how is he a child? But none of us is less than 40 years. We are leaders in our own right. Our people elected us. You can’t just sit in Abuja and make this kind of a thing.

“We are committed to issues of integrity, issues of fairness, equity, and justice.”

He added, “I think we are on course as far as I’m concerned with our group (G5). As faithful Party men, we have given enough time. And we are told that the failed leadership at the National level will take advantage of the opportunity we have given them to address those issues.

“There are many ways of addressing issues even when you are not able to meet the demands of a group or individuals. But when people decide to be arrogant, and mischievous and do things as if the other person does not exist and try to do some things with impunity, as if they have won the election, and they don’t need any other person, it becomes a problem.”