Benue PDP crisis deepen as ex-gov allegedly evicts party from secretariat

The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State escalated on Monday after the party was reportedly evicted from its state secretariat building by the building’s owner, former Governor and Senator Gabriel Suswam.

The building, located along the Makurdi/Otukpo road, had served as the state headquarters of the PDP for several years.

The eviction allegedly followed a deepening rift between supporters of former Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Suswam, which led to the appointment of a Caretaker Committee by the party’s National Secretariat to manage the party’s affairs in Benue.

However, Senator Suswam has denied allegations of evicting the party from the premises.

In response, former Governor Ortom quickly provided an alternative office for the party in one of his business complexes, previously housing Oracle Business, located in the High-Level area of Makurdi.

Ortom, through his Media Aide, Terver Akase, accused Suswam of sealing off the secretariat early Monday morning, further straining relations between the two political heavyweights.

He said, “You know that it is the former governor who owns that building, he sealed off the building this morning, he didn’t allow the caretaker committee to enter the office.

“As a result, the immediate past governor (Ortom) in his usual generosity has donated his building to the party.

But in a swift response Senator Suswam dismissed the allegation and demanded for proof from those peddling the rumour.

Speaking through his Media Aide, Bartholomew Bede , he said, “they did not evict them neither did they seal off the place and if they have any proof they can provide it.

“The issue of eviction cannot arise because PDP is not even a tenant as the building was donated to the party.”