At a recent stakeholder meeting, Senator Dino Melaye, a prominent figure and governorship candidate of Kogi State, engaged in a heated exchange with Samuel Ortom, the former governor of Benue State. This clash occurred during the stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on April 17, which took place in the opposition party’s North Central geopolitical zone.
During the meeting, Melaye expressed surprise at Ortom’s presence at a PDP meeting, considering his alleged actions that were detrimental to the party. Melaye attributed these actions to the party’s defeats in both the presidential and governorship elections in Benue State.
The rift stemmed from Ortom’s participation, alongside four other PDP governors known as G-5, who opposed the party in the 2023 elections due to a disagreement over the geographical distribution of the party chairman position. This disagreement led to the G-5 governors supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) and Peter Obi (Labor Party) instead of the party’s chosen candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
During the meeting, Melaye called for disciplinary measures against Ortom, sparking a heated argument between the two. Despite the tensions, party leaders eventually agreed that the North Central region should produce the next party president at the national level.
In other developments, the report mentioned that PDP Acting President Umar Damagum would continue in his role until the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the scheduled gathering on April 18. The party caucus decided to reconstitute all reconciliation committees to address issues affecting party unity.
Regarding the party chairman position, the caucus stated that Damagum would remain in office until the next NEC meeting. The meeting was attended by notable figures such as Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, and Atiku Abubakar.
This encounter between Dino Melaye and Samuel Ortom sheds light on the internal tensions and power struggles within the opposition party, underscoring the existing divisions despite reconciliation efforts. These political developments reveal the challenges and rivalries shaping the current political landscape and raise questions about the future unity and direction of the PDP.
For further insights, you can visit the following links:
1. Pulse Article on Dino Melaye and Samuel Ortom Exchange
2. Political Crisis in Haut Katanga – Fatshimetrie Analysis
3. Legal Battle over Former Governor Bello’s Case – Fatshimetrie Report
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