January 27, (THEWILL) – Political realignment in Benue state ahead of the 2023 general election begins with a series of defections. KAJO MARTINS takes a look at the intrigues and players in the game.
In recent times, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state appears to be harvesting numbers of All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties into its fold preparatory to the general election in 2023. One of the mega decamping ceremonies took place in Gboko local government area, when a three term member of the House of Representatives for Gboko/Tarka federal constituency on the platform of the APC, Rt. Hon John Dyegh, dumped his party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Similar exercises took place at Adikpo in Kwande local government area when the APC senatorial candidate for Benue North East district in the 2019 general election, Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi also dumped her party for the PDP, just like it happened in Naka, Gwer West local government and at the IBB Square, Makurdi, among others.
Following this scenario, one would have drawn the conclusion that the PDP would have a smooth ride to victory in almost all elective positions in the state in the forthcoming 2023 general election, including the senate which the incumbent governor Samuel Ortom has been tipped by his supporters to contest.
However, things took a twist over the weekend as the older brother to the governor’s wife, Prince Simon Aondona Adaga led other aggrieved members of the PDP from Gwer West into the APC, citing disrespect to the party hierarchy in the area as well as plans to marginalise Gwer West in the political scheme of things ahead of 2023.
Prince Aondona who represented Gwer west/Gwer East in the lower chambers of the national assembly, Abuja, was followed by Chief Goddy Ikyeleve who also represented Gwer West/Gwer East at the national assembly, among other party faithfuls to the APC.
An insider who confided in THEWILL, said, apart from the family feud, the PDP leadership in the state is in the habit of making some appointments, including that of Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Jude Shachia Uungwa who hails from same council ward with Aondona without his consent.
According to our source, as a member of G14, member MINDA PDP Elders Forum and leader of PDP in Gwer West, Prince Aondona was treated with total disregard and humiliation.
Our informant said, Aondona is saddened that his brother-in-law, governor Ortom is intending to use his position to take away the senate seat which is the turn of Gwer West to occupy in 2023 as both Makurdi, Gwer East and Guma local government area where Ortom comes from had enjoyed the slot before in person of senators JKN Waku, Dr Joshua Adagba and Fred Orti.
Others that decamped along with Prince Aondona to the APC include, a former member of the Benue state House of assembly, Mrs Theresa Dewua, former chairman of Gwer West local government area, Mr Zwatema; former leader legislative council, Mr Francis Chia; deputy chairman of Gwer West local government area, Mr Andaa and former deputy chairman, Mr Alex Gondu among others.
Prior to his decamping, Prince Aondona who served as a member of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, representing Benue state, was a serving Chairman, Governing Council of College of Education, Oju since 2019 and had tendered his resignation letter to the governor, dated 24th January, 2022.
The letter which reads in part. “The Secretary to Benue State Government: Resignation of my appointment as chairman, governing council, College of Education, Oju.”
“I write to convey to His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom through you my resignation of my position as chairman governing council of the College of Education Oju from 2019.”
“Kindly convey my gratitude to His Excellency for the opportunity he gave to me to serve in that capacity and the kindness he showed me all the time.”
Similarly, he tendered a resignation of party membership to the ward chairman of the PDP in Tijime Council Ward of Gwer West local government area, dated 24th January, 2022.
However, governor Samuel Ortom has announced the dissolution of the governing council of the College of Education, Oju with immediate effect and directed the people of Gwer West to present a replacement for appointment as chairman of the council to be constituted soon.
The governor announced the dissolution Monday, January 24th, 2022 at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi during a meeting with members of the People’s Democratic Party from Gwer West Local Government Area.
Reacting to reports of defection of some members of the PDP to the opposition, Governor Ortom stated that he was not against anyone defecting to any political party of his or her choice; observing that any right thinking person will not contemplate joining a sinking party, like the All Progressives Congress for whatever reason.
The Governor thanked the people of Gwer West, his In-laws for being solidly behind his administration and the PDP in general, stressing that the party is poised to win the presidency in 2023.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Gwer West has suspended four persons including Prince Simon Aondoana and Chief Goddy Ikyereve for anti-party activities. The decision was taken at a stakeholders meeting of the party from Gwer West held in Makurdi, the state capital.
Also, the Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had confirmed the suspension of membership of Prince Simon Aondona from the party, saying it became necessary following repeated acts of misconduct and his failure to heed several warnings to desist from such.
“It is instructive that the top leadership of the party in the state, in line with its policy of inclusiveness, had accorded deserved respect to the suspended party elder while he sojourned under its canopy over the past two decades”.
“As a former member of National Assembly on the party’s platform and a former Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal and Allocation Commission (RMFAC), also at the pleasure of the party, he was granted privileges and the latitude due to his status.”
A statement signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, noted that even when prince Aondona’s serial acts of misconduct, which consisted in unholy alliances with opposition political parties became known, PDP chose to exhaustively thread the path of dialogue and reason with him, but unfortunately with little success.
“The decision to suspend his membership of the party, therefore, is necessary for the purpose of maintaining internal discipline and cohesion which are distinguishing attributes of the PDP from other political parties in Nigeria.”
According to Mr Iortyom, the PDP remains intact in Gwer West locality of the suspended party elder and will keep its doors open to his readmission should he choose to embrace discipline and good conduct.
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