- Demands his sack as PDP’s Zoning Committee Chairman
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has demanded the immediate resignation of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning committee, alleging that he is incapable of delivering a fair and transparent process.
According to the Forum, Governor Ortom is already compromised and biased with his acceptance of a N200 million donation to Benue State by Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State who has declared interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election on the PDP platform.
A statement issued by the National President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima in Abuja said given recent developments and Ortom’s comments during the encounter with Wike, the North is clearly at a disadvantage concerning the proposed PDP’s zoning arrangement.
The statement also said as a matter of urgency, the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, should clear himself of the hidden agenda allegations by immediately relieving Governor Ortom of the Zoning Committee assignment or be deemed his collaborator.
Insisting that Governor Wike clearly compromised his Benue counterpart during the recent visit to Makurdi and donation of N200m after declaring interest to contest the 2023 presidency, the AYCF President said, “Benue State has faced security challenges over the years without Wike showing concern. But such a gift coming at a time when the issue of zoning has been left to Ortom and others to decide makes it very delicate and totally unacceptable.”
He further said; ”For the records, we have canvassed that both the APC and the PDP either zone the presidency to the North or throw it open. Given the person of Ortom, who has always kicked against anything North and does not see himself as one from the region, aside from his vast attacks on the Hausa Fulanis of the North, makes him totally unfit for the zoning committee chairman of the PDP.
“That the North has only spent two and half years out of the 16 years PDP was in power lays the moral justification for the PDP to zone its presidency to the north or at best open the race.
“To now have Governor Ortom fraternising with Wike in such brazen manner leaves much to be desired of the PDP and its chieftains.”
Shettima said any political party that takes the North for granted would have itself to blame with serious political consequences of its actions come 2023, adding; “We shall massively be involved in the mobilization of youths of the north for the 2023 elections and declare any politician or northerner who fails to support the north for the 2023 presidency as not only a saboteur but a persona non grata in the region.”
Specifically venting their anger at the Rivers State governor and his alleged tacit endorsement by Governor Ortom, the Arewa Youths said; “Wike for instance has made very damning remarks against the North in the last, ridiculing its people and leaders.
“To attempt to use Ortom for his political ascension and expediency at this time is an exercise in futility as we shall use our numbers, coherence and unity to checkmate him and other aspirants who do not have northern interest at heart.”
