The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue chapter has summoned a former Governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, and others over alleged gross misconduct and anti-party activities.
The party in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom charged the summoned members to appear before the party today and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
The statement noted that the action has become necessary following the invasion of the party’s State Secretariat in Makurdi on Tuesday by thugs and hoodlums allegedly led by suspended state Chairman, John Ngbede which credible intelligence reveals was under the sponsorship and support of the Suswam-led group.
“PDP observes that in the particular case of Sen Suswam, weighty allegations have been mounting against him of acts inimical to the good health and interests of the party, including diversion of campaign funds during the 2023 elections, sponsoring of factions and thuggery within the party, sponsoring of publication of internal party disputes, sponsoring of court litigations against the party without recourse to the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party among several other things.
“He is also accused of being a spokesperson and errand runner to All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Hyacinth Alia to the extent that even when the PDP Governorship Candidate, Engr Titus Uba, was still in court challenging the outcome of the election, Suswam was going about drumming support for the Governor at public functions, with specific reference made to his speech at the burial of the late Akua Aper Aku.
“Such acts and many others which Sen Suswam and his cohorts are accused of constitute a violation of Section 58 of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as Amended in 2017), and consequently, in line with provisions of the same Section of the PDP Constitution, he and the following Terngu Tsegba, Richard Gbande, Terseer Tsumba, and Prof Nicholas Ada are hereby summoned to appear before the State Working Committee of the party on August 8 2024 at the party’s State Secretariat, Makurdi.
Also, the Local Government chairmen of Apa, Gboko, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Logo Otukpo, Ukum, and Tarka are summoned to appear before the State Working Committee on related charges on the same date.
“The party condemns in strong terms the invasion of the State Secretariat by thugs and hoodlums under the leadership of the suspended State Chairman, John Ngbede and the kangaroo meeting he held with some persons, even as he and those involved are strongly advised to desist from such acts forthwith or risk severe punitive action against them.
“PDP condemns the group which held a press conference somewhere in Makurdi under the name “Concerned Benue PDP Stakeholders”, as the party emphasizes that it has no such group in its fold and those making hate speeches under the nonexistent nomenclature do so in violation of the party’s constitution and will be duly sanctioned should they continue to do so.”
