The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State is embroiled in a fierce internal struggle, with rival factions led by former Governors Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom clashing over control and direction of the party.
This rivalry, driven by ambitions and conflicting interests, has led to multiple suspensions within the party, significantly impacting its cohesion and raising concerns about its future in the state.
This internal turmoil mirrors a similar crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, where factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, are at odds.
The PDP conflict escalated on August 5 when the party's State Working Committee (SWC), led by Bemgba Iortyom, its publicity secretary and an ally of Ortom, announced the suspension of three key members--State Chairman John Ngbede, State Secretary Joseph Nyam, and State Organising Secretary Moses Audu--for alleged misconduct during recent ward congresses. The suspensions were supported by nine out of 13 committee members present at an extraordinary meeting held on August 3.
Later that day, another suspension letter surfaced, this time targeting former Governor Ortom and three others, accusing them of anti-party activities. Ortom was accused of endorsing a Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election and calling on the Benue PDP to support the APC in the 2027 presidential election. Others suspended include Azua Ashongo, Isaac Mffo, and Bemgba Iortyom, allegedly for seizing congress materials during the ward congresses. This move was seen as a direct response to the earlier suspensions, highlighting the deep divisions within the party.
But Ngbede, the suspended chairman, questioned the legitimacy of his suspension. He argued that only the State Executive Committee (SEC) or the National Executive Committee (NEC) had the authority to suspend him, citing Section 59, Subsection 2 of the PDP constitution.
Ngbede, who served as a commissioner during Suswam's administration and is still believed to be one of his closest allies, suggested that the suspension was an attempt by his rivals to oust him and dominate the upcoming congresses, warning of serious consequences for the party's stability.
The internal strife intensified as the Iortyom faction accused former Governor Suswam and several others of gross misconduct and anti-party activities, following an alleged invasion of the PDP State Secretariat in Makurdi by thugs purportedly led by Ngbede. This accusation further inflamed tensions, with both sides accusing each other of resorting to undemocratic practices to achieve their goals.
In response, allies of Suswam and Ortom, including a former House of Representatives member Terngu Tsegba and Terver Akase, denied the suspensions and threatened legal action, arguing that the suspensions were politically motivated to weaken their influence within the party. Senator Emmanuel Orker Jev and other plaintiffs took legal steps to protect those affected, with Jev securing a court order halting PDP congresses in six local government areas until investigations into the disruptions were concluded.
Iortyom and Cornelius Hwande, who signed the suspension letters, denied working for either Ortom or Suswam. Hwande, the media consultant for Ngbede's faction, claimed that he merely signed the outcome of a State Executive Committee meeting as the PDP media consultant and that the suspension sent to the national secretariat was signed by the state PDP secretary.
Despite neither of the two former governors publicly commenting on the rift, Ortom's statement on August 12 suing for peace confirmed that the crisis was primarily between him and Suswam, albeit fought by their loyalists, observers noted.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom acknowledged that differing opinions in politics are inevitable but emphasised that these differences often serve to deepen democracy.
Ortom called for all stakeholders to remain committed to the shared objectives and aspirations of the PDP, stressing that "he and Senator Suswam share a long-standing friendship and mutual respect as leaders within the PDP and will always find amicable solutions to whatever political disagreements may arise by prioritising the greater good of the party and its members."
Suswam and Ortom's relationship reportedly soured after Ortom took over power in 2015, probing Suswam's administration and seizing some of his properties. But this was believed to have been resolved when Ortom joined Suswan in the PDP.
Their differences, however, became noticeable again during the last general election, when Suswam supported Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambition while Ortom backed the Labour Party's Peter Obi. Although they managed a private reconciliation, the present dispute following the ward congress has reignited tensions.
Observers have noted that despite ongoing national-level challenges facing the party, the Benue chapter has managed to maintain a semblance of cohesion, largely due to the leadership of Suswam, Ortom, and Senator Abba Moro. The trio consistently presented a united front in public, most notably during the PDP's expanded stakeholders meeting in May, where they called for party unity. This public display of solidarity reassured party members and supporters that the PDP in Benue was strong and capable of weathering any storm.
However, the recent fallout has shattered this facade of unity. The week of turmoil culminated in a memo from the PDP's national secretariat, officially acknowledging the end of Ngbede's administration and announcing the formation of a caretaker committee for the Benue chapter. The committee, reportedly led by Senator Napoleon Bali and Hon. Osita Oghene as administrative secretary, includes representatives from both the Ortom and Suswam factions, leading some political analysts to speculate that peace might soon return to the party.
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They suggested that the inclusion of members from both factions indicates a willingness to compromise and find a solution that accommodates the interests of all parties involved.
However, political analyst Charles Itodo believes the issue is far from resolved and may persist longer than expected. He pointed out that the crisis was sparked at the ward congress level, yet the key players remain unconcerned about the state congress, where four aspirants are vying for leadership.
Itodo explained that external factors exacerbate the disagreement, with factions aligned with Akume and Governor Alia intensifying the situation. Ortom is believed to be siding with Akume to prevent Alia from joining the PDP, while Suswam reportedly supports Alia's entry into the party.
Noting how the ward leadership will help shape the party's structure at the state level, analysts like Itodo believe this is what the gladiators are fighting to control.
