PDP Zonal Congress: Ortom charges elected officials to respect party constitution
…as Jerry Gana, others, defects to PDP
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has charged the newly elected Zonal officials of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), elected during the North Central Zonal Congress held in Makurdi the capital city of Benue State to always have respect on the party’s construction.
Ortom gave the charge while delivering a speech at Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi shortly after the election of new Zonal officials of the party in North Central.
He urged them to uphold to fairness, equity and justice in dealings with members so that PDP could reclaim its rightful place in the scheme of things in the country in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
He explained that with the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) , leadership in the country is an added advantage for Nigerians to look up to the PDP and it was therefore, incumbent on the party to put its house in order to wrestle power in 2023.
Governor Ortom who pointed out that the PDP had learnt its lessons after losing to APC over the years, stressed the need for all members especially the party’s leaders to work towards amending mistakes of the past for a secured future.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the PDP caucus leaders for providing the enabling environment for successful Congress and expressed the hope that the spirit would be maintained.
Earlier, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki observed that the successful hosting of PDP Governors in Benue state demonstrated Governor Ortom’s strength of character and the desire for unity and progress of Benue and the country at large.
Senator Saraki maintained that it was time the people of North Central in the country reclaimed their leadership mandate which could be achieved through unity and collaboration.
Former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Iyorchia Ayu, all acknowledged the sterling leadership qualities of Governor Ortom and expressed hope that the PDP would reclaim the country come 2023.
On his part, former Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliu who spoke on behalf of former Governors said they were happy with the performance of Governor Ortom and his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam and stressed the need for them to continue to work together for the good of their people and the country.
In his remark, Senator Philip Aduda of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja who spoke on behalf of members of the National Assembly, said all that the party was doing at the moment showed it had commenced a march towards 2023 for which they ought to remain focused.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana and other top political leaders over the weekend joined PDP at the Congress of the party
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that others who also defected were ; Barrister Humphrey Abah, Ambassador Mrs Esther Audu and Hon Adakole Ijogi and were received formally into the PDP by leader of the party in the North Central Zone, Executive Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom.
Professor Jerry Gana who responded on behalf of the defectors, explained that PDP is poised to reclaim power in all the states of the North Central Zone and Nigeria at large currently being ruled by the APC.
Nigerian NewDirect reports that Delegates from various states that participated in the Congress include; Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
