PDP crisis: Don’t blame G-5 if reconciliation fails – Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu-led national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party should have no one to blame but itself if reconciliation with the G-5 Governors fail.

He noted that arrogance, mischief and impunity on the part of the party leadership for the delay in resolving the intra-party squabble.

Ortom, who is a leading member of the G-5 governors said this in an interview, on Thursday.

He explained that contrary to speculations in some quarters, the G-5 governors were not at a loss as to their next move but that as loyal party men, they were leaving sufficient room for genuine reconciliation to save the party they’ve all worked so hard to build.

While speaking on his preferred Presidential Candidate for the 2023 elections, Governor Ortom said, if he were not in the PDP, he would have personally led the campaign of the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

He explained that although Obi, like most human beings, was not perfect, he possess the qualities of the kind of leader Nigeria needs at this point in our history.

While speaking on the crisis within the PDP, Ortom said, “I think we are on course as far as I’m concerned with our group. As faithful party men, we have given enough time.

“And we are told that the failed leadership at the national level will take advantage of the opportunity we have given them to address those issues.

“There are many ways of addressing issues even when you are not able to meet the demands of a group or individuals, you will find a way of meeting.

“I will quote (former military) President Babangida who said ‘a little to the left, a little to the right.’
Then you find the meeting place.

“Where people decide to be arrogant, where they decide to be mischievous, and do things as if the other person does not exist and try to do some things with impunity, as if they have won election, and they don’t need any other person, it becomes a problem.

“But election cannot be won when ballot is not cast. Because I know, as a veteran politician of over 40 years, most of these key actors you see today in politics, when it comes to the School of Politics, they are my subjects.

“You know, the good thing about someone like me is that I started from the grassroot and I built myself from that level and I have gotten to where I am today.”