I will declare my party preference by weekend ―Ortom

BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that he would make known his political movement before the end of this week as he called on PDP governorship aspirants in Benue not to dissipate energy on his reported defection.

Ortom who was reacting to the governorship aspirants in the state rejecting his return to the party noted that he was foundation PDP member in the state and did not need to consult with any party governorship aspirant if he decides to join the party.

Speaking on his behalf, his special adviser on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua noted that he is yet to declare to anyone that he is defecting.

According to the governor, I don’t need to seek their permission before joining the People Democratic Party(PDP), and l have not announced to anyone that am going into PDP.

The governor noted that he would address the issue when the time comes.

“As for now, he is saying that the National leadership of APC, called him to a meeting on Thursday in Abuja and that he will make his final announcement after the meeting on Thursday.

“So, l don’t know where those people got their information from. But the issue of the party is an issue of interest. Maybe the aspirants feel that their interest is threatened, but surely l don’t think they have the controlling powers of the structure of PDP, Ortom said.

In a related development, elders from Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association, known as MINDA, a geopolitical zone in the state came out from a meeting yesterday and called on Ortom to seek an alternative platform for his reelection bid.

ALSO READ: Saraki supporters have decided to dump APC ―Baraje

Spokesman of the elders’ forum, Senator JKN Waku said that MINDA people had in the past, supported other blocks including Kwande, Jechira, Jemgbagh and Sankera to enjoy their turns as Governor of the state and would not allow those whom he said have catapulted themselves into demigods to cause confusion in their ranks.

While noting that aside of governors Aper Aku and Moses Adasu whose tenure was cut short due to military intervention, ‘Senator George Akume and Gabriel Suswam did eight years as Governor and Ortom’s case would not be different.’

The group promised the governor of their unflinching support for his reelection project, the elders said APC-led administration had not been fair to Benue people, hence the need to move en mass to another political party as quickly as possible.

They vowed to resist the antics of divide and rule by any individual or group of persons, stressing that when a man marries and divorces several wives, his character should be questioned.