PDP slams gunmen attacks on Gov. Ortom’s convoy

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Saturday attack and alleged assassination attempt on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue by suspected bandits.

The party made the condemnation in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Saturday, March 20.

Ologbondiyan called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put machinery in motion by ordering an immediate manhunt, arrest, and prosecution of the assailants and beef up security around the governor.

He said that the PDP was shocked that the assailants trailed Ortom and opened fire on his motorcade; and his aides on Makurdi/Gboko road, in an attack aimed to assassinate the governor.

“Our party is worried that this brazen attempt at Ortom’s life is coming on the heels of his outspokenness; in exposing those allegedly behind the incessant attacks of communities in the state; and demanding protection for people and property in the state.”

He said that the PDP feared for the life of Ortom, urging the Federal Government to take a decisive step to check the escalated insecurity and brazen attacks on innocent Nigerians.

“The PDP, however, calls on Gov. Ortom not to be deterred by the attack but to remain courageous and at alert, at all times; while providing leadership to the people of his state.”

Ologbondiyan called on the people of Benue to be calm and vigilant; while providing useful information to security agencies to flush bandits and criminal elements out of the state and other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he will lend his support to former President Goodluck Jonathan; if he accepts the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket for the 2023 election.

Wike insisted he would snub the former President if he opts to contest under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor made this call while speaking to BBC Pidgin on Saturday, March 20, in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike explained that even Jonathan understands that he would work against his ambition if Jonathan joins the APC; and clinches the party’s ticket to run for President in 2023.

He said: “I am a PDP member, if former President Goodluck Jonathan picks a ticket to run in my party, I will support him. I can’t do anti-party. But if he picks a ticket to run in APC, I won’t support him because I can’t do anti-party.

“He knows I won’t support him in APC even if he is from the south. I don’t do that kind of politics. It is the party we are talking about and I don’t play ethnicity.”