2019 Polls: Gov Ortom Finally Quits APC
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has denounced his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the governing party is now devoid of required capacity to protect the interests of the Benue people and his administration.
According to him, his government’s resolve not to be cowed in demanding equity and justice for the State has made the APC uncomfortable with the party showing him ‘a red card’ for his stance.
However, competent sources confirmed that Governor Ortom’s moves are traceable to irreconcilable differences between him and former Governor of the state, Senator George Akume, considered de facto APC leader in Benue State
Speaking shortly after swearing in a new Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Jerome Shimbe, the governor declared that he has ceased to be an APC member, maintaining that the ‘red card’ will position him to embrace any political party of his choice.
He however said such party must have an ideology that is in tune with what his administration represents.
Explaining that the strained relationship between him and the APC, which brought him to office in the 2015 governorship polls, has left him ‘partyless’, Governor Ortom said the development would bring a new lease of life to the people of Benue State.
He stated that Shimbe’s appointment was based on his impeccable character and proven track record of service, and urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him while also opening his doors to assist all Benue indigenes irrespective of their political affiliations.
In his response, Shimbe, who replaced Mr Titus Zam that was relieved of his appointment on July 8, thanked the governor for an opportunity to serve the state and pledged to ensure the current administration continue to succeed in delivering democracy dividends to the people of Benue State.
Speculations heightened recently of the Governor’s exit from the APC when in sacking his cabinet, he retained only four of the 16 commissioners and seven of the 19 Special Advisers.
Though no reasons were given for the action, insiders hinted that cabinet reshuffling was not unconnected with the internal wrangling that pitched him against APC leader in the state, Senator George Akume.
Forefront usual reliable sources said strong indications that some powerful APC stakeholders in the State are bent on denying Governor Ortom a return ticket for 2019 gubernatorial polls remained the major reason for his decision to part ways with the ruling Party.
Though many political pundits are already tipping the governor to join the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), inside sources hinted that some PDP stakeholders in Benue are resisting his return to the Party he dumped in 2014 for the APC. – With agency reports
