The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has refuted claims of factionalism within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that the party remains united under the leadership of the current National Working Committee (NWC) chairman, Umar Damagum.
Ortom made this declaration during a gathering with members of the newly elected Benue State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP at his residence in Makurdi.
He emphasized that the Damagum-led NWC is the officially recognized leadership of the party, and any allegations of division are unfounded.
The former governor acknowledged the challenges faced by the party during the current crisis but commended the Damagum-led committee for their efforts in navigating through difficult times.
He urged party members to refrain from criticism and instead support the leadership with prayers.
Ortom said, “There is no faction in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and we remain committed to equity, fairness, and justice. I have not drifted from that, and we are committed and loyal to the party.
“We do not want to be a dissident group, and we do not belong to a dissident group. And so we support the Damagun-led National Working Committee, NWC, of our party. They have done their best; they are not perfect, and no one is perfect.
“They have done their best in the mist of the challenges we have in the PDP. They should be commended rather than anybody castigating them.
“If there are issues, there are various organs of the leadership of the party to address such. The Board of Trustees, BOT, is there, the Governors’ Forum is there, the National Executive Committee, NEC, is there, and the National Working Committee, NWC, itself is there, including other stakeholders. If there are issues, they should be discussed at this level.
“They have done well, and they have done their best. If there are issues, we have the constitution of our party to look at it.
“So I see no reason to castigate them; they have done well. So we will stand with them and continue to work under their directive and work for them and pray for them until otherwise.”