By NICHOLAS DECHI

A former governor of Benue, Dr Samuel Ortom, has debunked rumours making the rounds that he is leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another political party.

Ortom made the clarificationduring the party’s stakeholders meeting on Monday in Makurdi.

The former governor saidhe remained a member of the party and wouldcontinue to work for its progress.

“I am not defecting to any political party. I am not going anywhere. I will remain in PDP.

“I have helped in building the party and I am committed to workingfor its progress,” Ortom said.

He advised leaders to exposerumour mongers in view of the damage caused bytheir activities.

Also speakingat the meeting , Sen. Gabriel Suswamadmonished PDP leaders to always strive to work together to make the party stronger

According to him, PDP is capable of winningallelections in the state.

Suswam , also a former governor of the state, pledged that the party would not impose party officials onmembers, saying that members would be allowed to choose their leaders themselves.

He said that PDP made mistakes during the 2023 general elections and thar the partyhad learnt a lot of lessons.

The former governor saidthat the lessonslearnt would propel the partyto planbetter and wrestle power from APC.

Mr John Ngbede,the PDP Chairman in the state, urgedmemberssowing seeds of discord among partyleaders to desist forthwith.

Ngbede said that if they continue to sow the seeds of discordamongleaders, they would be disappointed.

“We ,the leaders of PDP, are very united and we will remain so no matter the circumstances.

“We will work very hard to reclaim our mandate in 2027. The Benue State Government House belongs to us,” Ngbede said. (NAN)