Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue at the weekend intimated stakeholders of the PDP on the invitation of the APC to him.
There have been reports of Ortom’s return to the APC which he dumped in 2018.
At the State Elective Congress held in the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Ortom told the party chieftains of the APC invitation when a vote of confidence was passed on him.
The State Secretary of PDP, Dr Joseph Nyam, had on behalf of the party moved a vote of confidence on Governor Ortom and was seconded by Hassan Saleh as well as general voice vote in support of the motion after reeling out the governor’s achievements.
Ortom in his response, however, assured that he would never betray the confidence reposed in him.
“APC has invited me to come and join them. They consulted with me and I told them that I will first come and consult with you (congress). Do you want me to go and join them?” he asked.
But, the congress responded with a thunderous, ‘No,’ based on which the governor sarcastically, said he would convey the message back to the APC.
Ortom further assured that he was committed to the PDP and would work assiduously for the party to retain the state in 2023 even as he added that there would be no special favours for anyone aspiring for an elective position at whatever level.
Meanwhile, Sir John Ngbede has been returned as the PDP chairman for another four years.
Ngbede, alongside 38 others for various positions were returned unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, Ngbede said the task ahead was daunting but his leadership would ensure credibility, fairness and accountability to surmount all obstacles.
Earlier, chairman of the Benue State PDP Congress Electoral Committee, Ambassador Tukur Mani, said the exercise was to conclude the party’s congresses which began on March 7, 2020 at ward and local government levels but was suspended due to the emergence of the COVID-19.
Mani expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the delegates’ congress which, he said, intended to fill 39 vacancies, noting that the exercise, carried out as family affair, was made easier because some aspirants stepped down for others to be elected unopposed.
