Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has officially taken over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
Performing the handing over today at the new banquet hall of Government House, in Makurdi, the state chairman of the party, Hon. John Ngbede, announced that thenceforth, Governor Samuel Ortom had become the leader of the party.
Ngbede who expressed joy that the PDP was moving stronger on daily basis said the meeting was the first expanded caucus meeting of the PDP after welcoming Governor Ortom from the APC.
“We are handing over the leadership and welfare of the party to you because we are confident you can take care of it. We have come together to integrate everyone and from today, no more Ortom PDP, Suswam PDP or David Mark PDP but only one PDP family under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom.
“We are here to ensure the party moves forward. There is no sacrifice too big to ensure our party wins the 2019 elections.”
Also speaking, Senator David Mark said he could confidently address Samuel Ortom as Benue State Governor with this handover today.
He said the gathering of a harmonized body of the PDP had restored the confidence the party use to have in the past and is a sign that the party will surely win the 2019 elections.
He announced that certain changes were made to unite the PDP before handing over the party structure to the governor and urged him to make the amendments to the structure so that those coming in could have a feeling that they also belonged to the party.
He said the party also set up an 11-man integration committee to ensure proper harmonization of the party from the ward to state level.
He urged them to go back home and elect the three-man delegates at the ward level making sure that all stakeholders participate to avoid rancour.
“The larger picture is to win the 2019 election at all levels beginning from the presidential to the last levels. In the spirit of brotherhood, we have brought the party together and we want to ensure victory at the polls come 2019,” he said.
Announcing the changes made in the party, former State Governor Gabriel Suswam stated that Governor Ortom was allowed to make an input in the party structure to make him comfortable with what was happening at the state secretariat.
Governor Samuel Ortom was given the chances to fill in candidates in the positions of Deputy State Chairman, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Treasurer, Youth Leader, Financial Secretary, Deputy Legal Adviser among other positions.
Suswan said they also agreed that those leaving the party secretariat would be given government appointment with immediate effect.
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“For us, it is a win win situation. We want everyone to accept it in good faith and work together to move the party forward,” he added.
Accepting the party leadership, Governor Samuel Ortom noted that there was more to gain doing politics without bitterness.
“It has always been said that in politics, there is no permanent friends or permanent enemy. Today, we have looked at the interest of Benue State and have come together as one. I plead that this unity be sustained and Benue will be better for it.
“Our coming together has consummated the unity and I respect the leaders of the party in the state for the wisdom they brought to bear to see us where we are today. Thank God we finally resolved all issues.”
He expressed his will to make the party stronger just as he pledged a level playing ground for all aspirants to participate in the forthcoming elections.
He said everyone should work assiduously to ensure the party wins in 2019.
According to him, “there are several opportunities if we win, so whatever will be a challenge should be sacrificed.
“I have accepted the mantle of leadership bestowed on me but I would need your support. I want to be a servant leader. A leader for all. Call me to take corrections if you see me derail so that together we can succeed.”
To other aspirants, he enjoined them to join forces with him to enable him complete his remaining four years just as he pledged to provide a leadership that everyone would appreciate.
In attendance to hand over the leadership of the party to Ortom was former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam; former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; Sen. Bananas Gemade; Sen. David Mark; former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu among others.