I’m Still In APC – Gov Ortom Declares

• Oshiomhole says ‘no dice’ for PDP

The Governor of Benue state, Mr Samuel Ortom may not be jettisoning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) anytime soon following a fence-mending meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Abuja on Thursday.

Rising from a closed door meeting the APC National Chairman, Governor Ortom confirmed the leadership’s assertion that he will not be allowed to go anywhere, saying assurances have come from the National secretariat that no individual in Benue state can shove him out of the party.

The Governor told journalists that; “It was the Benue APC that gave me a red card not the national APC and that was enough to make myself available out of the pitch.

“But the leadership of the party told me that its decision is superior to that of any individual or group of people and I think that is good enough.

“They have spoken to him, and have spoken to me and the state stakeholders are going to be spoken to and that’s where I belong.”

According to him, the parties have not concluded the matter because “it’s an ongoing process”, adding: “I always stood for peace, and I always want peace to prevail, that’s what I call for.

“I am here in APC, I am a member of APC, I am still flying the flag of APC, I only said I was given red card but I have been corrected by the national secretariat”.

In his remarks on the outcome of the meeting, Comrade Oshiomhole said Governor Ortom would not be returning to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing; “I have, as the National Chairman, assured him that the APC does not have a red card in its cupboard. So, we cannot give what we do not have.”

“We recognize that in several states, there could be legitimate legal issues, there could be agreements, disagreements, some contestations and these we are familiar with. There are evidences of the fact that we are a free democratic party and when leaders have disagreements, our responsibility is to help them to find a common ground and the issues in Benue are not so fundamental that we cannot resolve”, he assured.

Confident that the Party is focused and determined to resolve the Benue crisis to the benefit of all contending parties, the National Chairman said; “We have made it clear that we would resolve them; and Senator Akume is a very respected leader of the party, a former governor, he will recognize the need for peace and we have what it takes to make peace.

“In Benue, we are going for a win-win solution. Governor Ortom is not going anywhere; he is a very prominent member of our party. We appreciate his leadership in Benue and we will do everything possible to help those who have issues to have those issues resolved. “Anything we would do, we would do, provided the only thing we will not accept is anybody leaving the house that we have built together, that we are committed to and I think the governor’s statement is clear.

“For PDP that is deceiving people, they must know that only people without honour will vomit in the morning and in the afternoon they convert it to lunch. People like Ortom who have honour cannot leave PDP just three and a half years ago with his eyes open and then later there are some tensions in his master bedroom and is thinking of returning to deceiving people. That, cannot be an option. He is a man of honour and he knows that one should look for one step if you want to take the second step to consolidate the first step; that is the way to go”, the APC Chairman stated

Comrade Oshiomhole, who promised that the APC leadership is ready and committed to assist all stakeholders resolve all contentious issues within the Party, said no efforts would be spared in tackling crises within the states chapters and ensure all committed members remained in its fold.

“Be assured that PDP can go and do whatever they do, it won’t change the minds of those who are convinced about building the future. It would not be without contestation, it will be based on the understanding that we can have contestations, but we have the qualities required to resolve issues”, Oshiomhole said.