The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the stay of Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman of the party, pending the election of a new chairman in August.
The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stated this while briefing journalists shortly after the 98th NEC meeting of the party on Thursday 18 April in Abuja.
Meanwhile, during the meeting which drew party bigwigs including former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, amongst many others, the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, who was also present at the meeting, delved into a heated verbal exchange with ex-governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.
Melaye accused Ortom of anti-party activities during the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking at a North Central zonal leadership meeting of PDP in Abuja on Wednesday, Melaye said Ortom’s anti-party activities led to PDP losing both the presidential and governorship elections in Benue.
The former senator expressed surprise that the former governor could attend a PDP meeting despite his previous disloyalty to the party.
This led to a hot exchange between both PDP chieftains.
Recall that during the 2023 election, the former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom teamed up with the G-5 governors led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to work against the victory of PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
While other members of the group worked for President Bola Tinubu’s victory, Ortom backed the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
SEE VIDEO:
Dino Vs Ortom at PDP North Central Zone leadership meeting.
Melaye expressed surprise at Former Governor Ortom ease in attending a PDP meeting despite his previous disloyalty to the party. The two engaged in a heated exchange during the encounter. pic.twitter.com/Y8WTycJ88q
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) April 18, 2024
