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Tag: Ortom

  • Ortom: His death a loss to Nigeria

    Ortom: His death a loss to Nigeria

    Immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, says the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari is a loss to the country.

    Ortom stated this in his condolence message yestrday signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Terver Akase.

    He said the late Buhari occupied a chapter in Nigeria’s political history, owing to his service to the nation.

    Read Also: Ortom cancels birthday celebration in honour of victims of Benue attacks

    The former governor said that the deceased led Nigeria at a difficult time but contributed his quota to the country.

    He further extended his condolences to the Buhari family and prayed that God Almighty grants the former president eternal rest.

  • Wike’s appointment as minister asset to Tinubu – Ortom

    Wike’s appointment as minister asset to Tinubu – Ortom

    …says Tinubu not politically biased

    Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Friday, described the appointment of Nyesom Wike as Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), an asset to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Ortum said this when he accompanied Wike to inspect ongoing projects due for commissioning by Tinubu.

    He commended Tinubu for looking beyond party affiliation, adding that the president has performed creditably well.

    Ortum praised Wike for not disappointing Tinubu and the then G-5 governors.

    He said Wike has developed the nation’s capital beyond imagination.

    According to him, “I want to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding our friend worthy of serving as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, specifically the Federal Capital Territory. This is a great feat.

    “If Mr. President were a partisan man, he would not bring my friend in. There are several other people that he has brought on board who are not members of the APC, but who he feels can add value to the development of our country. That is what a true leader should look at.

    “I commend Mr. President. I commend my friend for not disappointing us, for making us proud. Anytime we look at him, though we are not there, we don’t have any appointment, but we feel that we are grateful to God for making our friend. He has covered all areas.”

    “I’ve been in politics since 1982, and I served as Minister with him. I’ve seen several other Ministers in the Federal Capital Territory, but this is the first time I’m seeing monumental development and progress made for the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

    Read Also: I won’t attend PDP activities with Wike, Ortom as members – Lamido

    “I’m very proud, very happy, and thankful to God Almighty for giving my friend and colleague the capacity to do all that he’s doing in the Federal Capital Territory. Mr. President is looking beyond party affiliation. That is why he brought my friend and leader, Minister Nyesom Wike, to be Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, despite the fact that he won the election on the platform of the PDP. This is a strategic partnership, and all of us, because if we don’t have a country, we cannot in any way have a nation to have a position.

    “I’ve been here as National Auditor of PDP since 2008. I became a resident of the Federal Capital Territory and came in, went back to my home, and all that. But honestly, I can tell you now, in the last one year, I need a guide to take me around the Federal Capital Territory because of the monumental development and progress we have had here.

    “I commend Mr. President for his renewed hope agenda that is making an impact. Yes, we have challenges as a country. We have challenges as a people, but truly, we can testify to the fact that the time Mr. President came in, he came in when the country was at its lowest, and today, he is trying to lift the country back on its feet again.

    “There are challenges. He himself has admitted that yes, there could be security challenges, economic challenges, and other challenges that we face as a people. But we need to work together, join hands with him to make sure that we overcome these challenges that we are facing, irrespective of party affiliation, irrespective of who we are.

    “So, I want to appeal to our people to please join hands and try to see that these challenges that we have, let us work together as a team to ensure that we overcome the security challenges that face us, and overcome the economic challenges that we have. Some reforms are being carried out. Let us join hands with him and the National Assembly and other Nigerians to ensure that we have success, to ensure that we are like other countries.

    “I’ve gone around. I’ve seen the Mabushi bus terminal. This is what we have seen abroad for decades. We have not seen this in Nigeria. We are seeing this today in Abuja, our own country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Ortum advised Nigerians to support Tinubu for more democracy.

    He said, “Let us ensure that we work to have more dividends and more progress done in this respect. I think Mr. President means well. Let us leave politics aside and join hands with him to ensure that we are not distracting him from 2027 and so on. Let us work together with him, because he means well.

  • Ortom cancels birthday celebration in honour of victims of Benue attacks

    Ortom cancels birthday celebration in honour of victims of Benue attacks

    Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has suspended all elaborate activities planned to mark his 64th birthday in a show of solidarity with victims of ongoing attacks in the state.

    Chief Ortom, who turned 64 on Wednesday, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of goodwill and prayers from the people of Benue and other Nigerians. His decision was made public in a statement signed by his media aide, Terver Akase.

    “In light of the ongoing intensified invasion, attacks, and senseless killings of innocent Benue people by Fulani terrorists across various local government areas, I have decided not to hold any celebration or festivities,” the former governor stated.

    Instead of celebrations, Chief Ortom said he has chosen to stand in solidarity with the victims and their families, acknowledging the deep pain and loss they have endured.

    He extended heartfelt sympathy to those affected and called on the people of Benue to continue praying fervently for the victims.

    Ortom also urged Nigerians to seek divine intervention to end the bloodshed and restore lasting peace and security in Benue and other troubled parts of the country.

    Read Also: PDP crisis: Ortom threatens to sue Ikimi’s committee

    He further called for prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, asking God to grant them wisdom and strength to tackle the nation’s security challenges.

    “Remains grateful to God Almighty for his mercy, good health, and blessings over the past 64 years, and he reaffirms my commitment to the service of God and humanity in the years ahead.”

  • Ortom, Anyanwu absent as PDP disciplinary committee begins hearing

    Ortom, Anyanwu absent as PDP disciplinary committee begins hearing

    The much-anticipated sitting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Committee, led by High Chief Tom Ikimi, faced unexpected setbacks on Wednesday as two key figures—Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom—failed to appear.

    PDP National Secretary, Anyanwu, reportedly informed the committee that he could not reschedule a prior medical appointment.

    Meanwhile, Ortom rejected the committee’s invitation. 

    His spokesman, Nathaniel Ikyur, told The Nation that there was no valid reason for Ortom to attend the hearing at Legacy House.

    “Up till 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), the former governor has not received any letter from the committee, even though the media is awash with reports of a supposed invitation. It is even more questionable that the letter references allegations of cyberstalking against the committee,” Ikyur stated.

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    A PDP insider revealed that the Ikimi-led committee had prioritized the appearances of Anyanwu, Ortom, and ten of Ortom’s loyalists from Benue State. 

    Since the committee was unaware of Ortom’s Abuja address, it opted to send the invitations—meant for Ortom and the ten Benue PDP members—to the state party chairman last Friday.

    However, a February 11 2023 letter sent to the PDP Disciplinary Committee by the Benue state chairman of PDP, Hon Ezekiel A. Adaj,i and received during the committees sitting at Legacy House on Wednesday afternoon raised serious allegations that authors of the petition alleging anti-party activities against Ortom and ten others are likely to be ghost members of Benue PDP who authored their petition in the name of a non-existent group.

    Among other suggestions, Adaji demanded that the petitioners should submit evidence to back their allegations, adding that “petitioners should also provide evidence of their membership of the Party, if any”.

    Adaji’s letter titled ‘Re: Demand for Disciplinary Action Against Perpetrators of Anti-Party Activities in the Last General Elections in Benue State’ expressed amazement that the Ikimi Committee‘s letter on a petition dated September 6, 2004, was only received by him on February 11, 2025, while those targeted by the petition were being asked to appear before the Committee on February 12, 2025.

    Adaji’s letter to Ikimi stated went thus: “Recall that pursuant to a letter, dated 6″ September 2024 on the above subject matter, written by a group that called itself “Benue PDP Youths Conscience,” which was referred to the PDP National Disciplinary Committee by the National Working Committee, you had sent a bunch of letters to me for delivery to members of PDP in Benue State against whom the petition under reference was written.

    “Your letters, which were sealed in an envelope, were received by my Personal Assistant, at the PDP Benue State Secretariat, No. 16, Abdullahi Shelleng Road, High Level, Makurdi on Monday, 10 February, 2025 at about 4.00 pm. The bunch of letters was escalated to me on Tuesday, 11″ February, 2025 at about 10.00 am.

    “I found from the bunch of letters that some members of the POP from Benue State were petitioned and invited to appear before the National Disciplinary Committee of the Party on Wednesday, 12% February 2025 at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

    “I regret to state that I am unable to deliver the letters to the various members of the Party who have been petitioned for want of sufficient time.

    “Since the petition has been copied to the “Benue State PDP Caretaker Committee” which Is now the State Working Committee of the Party under my leadership, although no copy of the petition has been served on me or the Benue State Working Committee, I perused the said petition and do hereby observe as follows:

    “That there is no group of the PDP in Benue State known as “Benue PDP Youths Conscience”

    “That the people who have signed the petition have not identified themselves as members of the PDP and are unknown to PDP, Benue State Chapter;

    “That the petition has not specified the acts consisting of the alleged anti-party activities. The petitioners have also not accompanied the petition with the “pictorial, voice and video evidence” (sic) which they intend to present at the hearing of the petition before the Disciplinary Committee.

    Adaji went further: “In view of the foregoing observations, I do hereby suggest as follows:

    “That the Disciplinary Committee may kindly reschedule the meeting and notify me in good time to enable me to convey the same to the petitioned members ahead of the date of the meeting to ensure their appearance before the Committee;

    “That the petitioners should provide evidence of their membership of the Party, if any, to enable the Disciplinary Committee to ascertain the propriety of their petition;

    “That the Disciplinary Committee may advise the petitioners to attach to the petition, the “pictorial, voice and video evidence” (sic) to enable the petitioned members to prepare their defence to the petition.

    “I do hereby reiterate the determination of the PDP Benue State Chapter to work in consonance with the National Working Committee and all structures of the Party to reposition the Party to her pride of place in the political arithmetic of Nigeria, now and in the future,” Adaji stated.

  • PDP disciplinary committee summons Anyanwu, Ortom

    PDP disciplinary committee summons Anyanwu, Ortom

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis yesterday escalated as some aggrieved chieftains said they would not appear before the Disciplinary Committee chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi.

    Also, the decision of the Board of Trustees (BoT) to recognise Sunday Udeh-Okoye as national secretary has generated controversy.

     Southeast stakeholders rejected the BoT position and threw their weight behind Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

    Although Anyanwu, who is currently National Secretary, and former Benue State Governor Sam Ortom have been summoned to appear before the Ikimi panel, sources said the duo may not appear.

    Ortom said he was yet to receive the invitation letter from the panel, adding that he cannot respond to summons on the social media.

    The PDP had simultaneously set up the disciplinary committee and the reconciliation panel chaired by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    The Ikimi panel, which is mandated to investigate anti-party activities, has relocated its sittings from the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja to the Legacy House in Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

    A statement by Ikimi said those summoned by the panel are to appear on February 12.

    It reads: “The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party met on Wednesday, 5th February, 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja in line with its mandate pursuant to Section 57(1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) relating to party discipline.

    “The Committee considered five (5) petitions received so far; and following a detailed review of the petitions, noted that the first set of petitions were against some key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    “The Committee came to the conclusion that in order not to jeopardise the ongoing reconciliatory efforts of the Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, took a decision to step down those three of the petitions against the top NWC members.

    “The second set of petitions which were set down for enquiry are those against former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, and 10 others and the petition against Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

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    “Accordingly, the Committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February, 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

    “Those expected to attend are the Petitioners and their witnesses on the one hand and the affected party members and their witnesses on the other hand; the required notices have been issued out accordingly.”

    The statement added: “All those with genuine grievances against any member of the party should take advantage of this standing committee and follow due process in bringing up their complaints.”

    Ortom’s media adviser, Nathaniel Ikyur, said the former governor Ortom expected the Ikimi Committee to send a formal invitation instead of “putting things on social media.”

    Ikyur added: “He (Ortom) has not received any formal invitation and cannot respond on the basis of social media posts. As soon as they do what they are supposed to do, we’ll know what to do next.”

    Imo stakeholders back Anyanwu as secretary

     Imo State PDP stakeholders supported Anyanwu as secretary, saying that the BoT took sides in a divisive issue.

    Imo State PDP Publicity Secretary Lancelot Obiaku, who spoke on their behalf, said the BoT’s decision

    did not represent the majority opinion.

    He said BoT lacked the constitutional authority to affirm or reject anyone as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Obiaku said: “The issue of the National Secretary  is before the courts and Senator Anyanwu has obtained a stay of execution, allowing him to continue in office until the Supreme Court makes a final decision.

    “Therefore, the BoT’s decision holds no legal basis, and we are aware that the party’s constitution does not require Senator Anyanwu to vacate his position while running for governor.”

    He added: “The constitution only prohibits holding dual offices, which is not applicable to Senator Anyanwu since he was not sworn in as governor of Imo State.

    “It calls to mind the claims made by former presidential candidate Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, who stated that some members of the opposition received N50 million from the ruling party to destabilise their parties.

    “The BoT’s actions imply that they may have been compromised, and we urge lovers of the PDP to caution them against sowing seeds that could damage their reputation individually and collectively.

    “Senator Anyanwu was duly elected National Secretary of the party and he has performed admirably in his role and will continue to do so.”

    Crisis looms over chairmanship, says Ologbondiyan

    Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said a worse crisis would engulf the party, unless the chairmanship slot is zoned to the Northcentral.

    Ologbondiyan, who spoke on the television, warned the party against making a mistake.

    He said: “I still insist,  and I believe I speak for the majority of North Central — that even if it’s going to be for a day, the North Central must be allowed to take over the office of the substantive national chairman.

    “Senator Iyorchia Ayu vacated that office. Ambassador Ilyasu Damagum stay is in acting capacity. That is not substantive.

    “So, whether the life of the present executive would end in December or before then, the Northcentral should be given the opportunity. Otherwise, the challenge that led to G5 is still alive. It may not function in the same way, but it would be on record that the party at a point was unjust to the people of Northcentral.”

  • PDP disciplinary committee summons Anyanwu, Ortom

    PDP disciplinary committee summons Anyanwu, Ortom

    The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Tom Ikimi, has revealed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s national secretary, and a former Governor of Benue State are among the first high-ranking members scheduled to appear before the PDP Disciplinary Committee. 

    In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the committee confirmed that it had relocated from the PDP national secretariat in Wuse and now operates from Legacy House, a party-owned facility in Maitama, Abuja.

    According to Ikimi: “The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic party met on Wednesday, 5th February 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja in line with its mandate under Section 57(1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) relating to Party discipline.

    “The National Disciplinary Committee considered five (5) petitions received so far; and following a detailed review of the petitions, noted that the first set of petitions were against some key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

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    “The Committee came to the conclusion that in order not to jeopardize the ongoing reconciliatory efforts of the Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, took a decision to step down those three (3) of the petitions against the top NWC members.

    “The second set of petitions which were set down for inquiry are those against former Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom and 10 others and the petition against Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

    “Accordingly, The National Disciplinary Committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

    “Those expected to attend are the Petitioners and their witnesses on the one hand and the affected party members and their witnesses on the other hand; the required notices have been issued accordingly,” he stated.

    While emphasizing the PDP disciplinary committee derives its authority from the party’s constitution, he assured that the committee is firmly committed to ensuring discipline within the PDP and restoring its integrity.

    “Therefore, all those with genuine grievances against any member of the Party should take advantage of this Standing Committee and follow due process in bringing up their complaints” he added.

  • Wike, Ortom, others visit Makinde over brother’s death

    Wike, Ortom, others visit Makinde over brother’s death

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, former Governor Samuel Ortom on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State Governor over the death of his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.

    They were received at the Ikolaba private residence of the governor.

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    Other dignitaries who accompanied the Minister include, Senators Sandy Onor, Philip Aduda, Olaka Nwogu, Mao Ohuabunwa, and Rt. Hon Chibudom Nwuche among others.

  • God told me not to contest election in 2027, says Ortom

    God told me not to contest election in 2027, says Ortom

    • Why I lost senatorial bid, by ex-governor

    Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said God told him not to contest any election in 2027.

    Ortom spoke when he hosted members of G-14 of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP), led by its Chairman, Dr. Laha Dzever, yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital.

    G-14 members who accompanied Dr. Dzever included Senators Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv-speaking local government areas of Benue State.

    The former governor said he had no option but to respect God’s wish.

    He said: “I’m not contesting the 2027 election. I knew why I lost the election in 2023. I didn’t consult God. My people purchased the forms for me, and I accepted them without consulting God.

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    “God has revealed everything to me. He has asked me to wait for him.”

    Ortom said he made far-reaching sacrifices in the course of his tenure as Benue State governor, including abandoning his family and friends at some point for state matters.

    He promised to continue to support the party, adding that no one’s ambition should be above the interest of the party.

    Ortom said nobody has the powers to disband the G-14 group, not even him as the leader of the party.

    “As a leader of the party in the state, I lack the powers to dissolve the group. So, nobody can disband this group.

    “G-14 is the elders’ forum of the PDP in Benue State. If anything must happen, I must know first because I am the leader,” he said.

    Dr. Dzever declared full support for the Ortom-led leadership.

    He said members of the group pledged their support for Ortom’s leadership and promised to work for the peace and unity of the party.

    On their purported dissolution, Dzever said nobody selected the group, which was formed in 2015 as part of our efforts to ensure that the party did not collapse after losing elections.

    “The only person that can disband us is the leader of the party in the state, and that is Chief Ortom. You alone can only disband what you have formed,” he said.

  • 2027: Reconcile Suswam, Ortom, PDP tells Benue caretaker panel

    2027: Reconcile Suswam, Ortom, PDP tells Benue caretaker panel

    In its early preparations for the 2027 general election, main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its newly-inaugurated Caretaker Committee for Benue State to reconcile two former governors – Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom – as well as end the party’s internal crisis in the state.

    Inaugurating the 17-member caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the state chapter of PDP in the next 90 days, the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilyas Damagum, and the Committee’s Chairman, AVM Napoleon Bali (retd.), emphasised the urgent need to restore unity in the party towards retaking Benue State in 2027.

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    Speaking at the party’s national secretariat while inaugurating the caretaker committee yesterday in Abuja, Damagum said: “Your duty is to usher in a new executive during this ongoing congress. This is not an easy task. You must avoid sentiments, selfishness, and embrace all. Even though you come from various interests, you must also put the party first before your personal interest.

    “Until you have a party in Benue, you will not be able to achieve (anything) in Benue. We have a daunting task. We all know the crisis there, which led to our bad outing during the last election. I am sure we should use this opportunity, and you should correct that anomaly that made us lose that state, which is predominantly a PDP state.

    “I am very happy with the selection of the chairman to lead the committee. You must work for an inclusive executive for the state. In any party, you have the good and the bad. You must carry all along; everyone is important.”

  • Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    The President , Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Professor Samuel Aghalino,  is set to deliver a public lecture in Makurdi, Benue State, as part of activities marking the birthday celebration of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.

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    Professor Aghalino, who is of the Department of History and International Studies ,University Of Ilorin, Kwara State, will speak on the topic: “Democracy, Insecurity and the Future of One Nigeria; Reading the Mind of Samuel Ortom,” will be held at International College of Technology in Makurdi.

    Preceding the public lecture is a thanksgiving service of RCCG, Region 40 Headquaters in Makurdi to be crowned with a dinner.