The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced steps to reposition the Benue State Chapter of the party by reconciling formers governors Samuel Ortom and Gabries Suswan who were suspended by their ward.
To kick start the process, the party constituted a 17 member state caretaker committee to runs the affairs of the state in the next 90 days.
The committee was charged with the responsibility of organizing the remaining ward and local government congresses as well as uniting aggrieved party members.
In his address during the swearing in ceremony, National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum reminded the committee member of the enormity of the responsibility they are going to shoulder. He charged them to put the interest of the party first and ensure that all aggrieved members are retuned back to the umbrella.
He said, “Your duty is very simple, to usher in an all-inclusive executive during this ongoing congresses so that everyone will belong. This is not an easy task. You must avoid sentiments, selfishness and taking all.
“Even though you came from various interests, I want to advise you that party is first before your personal interest. Until you have a party in Benue, you will not be able to achieve what you want to achieve in the future.
“We all know the crisis there, that led to our bad outing during the last general election and they are still there. We want to use you to correct these anomalies. So you have a very big task. Only genuine reconciliation can achieve the progress that has so far been retarded within the party”.
Responding, Chairman of the caretaker committee, AVM Napoleaon Bali (rtd) assured that his committee will do everything possible to bring the crisis in Benue to an end. He said that reconciliation is all about give and take adding that as a former general, he has been equipped in conflict resolution strategy which he will deploy to bring the crisis to and end.
“Well, we are going to work as a team and I want to tell Benue People that by the grace of God, PDP is coming back and we are going to take over the leadership of Benue state in 2027” he said.
When reminded that former governor Samuel Ortom was suspended by his ward and the same with former governor Suswan who may have irreconcilable differences, he responded:
“As a retired general, we were thought conflict management strategies. It is not a question of Ortom or Suswan, but by the grace of God, I with all the members of this committee are going to unite them. Conflict management is just a matter of give and take, we shall look at the issues and address the issues. If we cannot address, we will find out if somebody take some and leave some? The is what conflict management is all about. So I can assure you that we are going to unite all the big names and people of PDP in Benue state. So I can assure you that they will all come on board.
“So if they are listening to me, I am calling on all of them to give us all the necessary cooperation so that we will do our job without fear of favour. I strongly believe that they are very reasonable people and seasoned Nigerians, they will listen to us and we will work with them to takeover the leadership of the state”.
The caretaker who was hopeful that they can execute the tasks before them within 90 days did not rule out the possibility of an extension of time.
“We will look at the task ahead, look at the issues and definitely if we cannot make in 90 days, we will make sure that we will let the originating authority know, if we need more time. But believe strongly that with the issues that I have informally heard, we should be able to resolve them within 90 days” he assured.
