THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed the reason why plots to impeach Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was carried out.
The opposition party said they believe the plot by minority lawmakers of the Benue House of Assembly to oust Ortom was plotted to install fear on other politicians who might be planning to join the PDP from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), just like the governor did.
The party disclosed this in a statement issued after the emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Ortom who defected from the APC last week said his action was based on pressure mounted on him by his constituents. The impeachment plot against him was initiated by 8 lawmaker of the State assembly after they gained entrance into the complex with the support of the police.
While they were allowed to go ahead with the business of the day, their 22 colleagues belonging to the PDP were denied access to the legislative chamber by the police which is controlled by t
The APC lawmakers accused Mr Ortom of misappropriating billions in public funds while state workers groan amidst unpaid salaries.
Expressing shock over the development which was led by Terkibir Ikyange, the suspended speaker of the assembly oust last week, the PDP accused the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government for the action.
“The NWC condemns in its entirely the purported sitting of eight APC members including the impeached and suspended Speaker; (in a 30 member House) wherein they illegally claimed to have served an impeachment notice on the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom. PDP also condemns the use of the EFCC and DSS to harass and intimidate officials of the Benue State Government,” the PDP said.
“We note the roles played by the factional Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and Sen. George Akume in encouraging lawless acts and anarchy in Benue State.
“The party believes the actions and opinions expressed by Oshiomole on the decamping of Governor Ortom to the PDP as an act intended to precipitate crisis for declaration of state of emergency in Benue,” it added.
The PDP warned against such deliberate acts adding that these were “maliciously designed to truncate democracy by employing underhand tactics to achieve what is inconceivable in a democracy.”
“The party calls on the Nigerian public, the civil society organisations and International Community to note the series of plots and deliberate attempts by the Buhari led APC Federal Government to cause mayhem in a state that is struggling to recover from a spate of killings and bloodletting.
“We are aware that these plots were designed to scare away Nigerians, including state governors and legislators, who are desirous of rallying with the PDP to rescue our nation from the misgovemance of the Buhari regime.”
