Reactions As Ortom Pulls Out Of Wike’s Camp, Backs Ayu As PDP Chairman

Mixed reactions have trailed the statement by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State that he is not among those calling for the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ortom, in a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, dismissed insinuations that he was in support of the removal of Ayu from office.

The Benue governor stated that he can’t advocate the removal of someone he helped to appoint, and reasserted his confidence in Ayu’s ability to lead the party to victory in next year’s general election.

According to Ortom, it was an open secret that he worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens, to ensure that Ayu was elected “as the national chairman of our great party even against all odds.”

Governor Ortom stated that he could not, therefore, turn around to work against him to be removed from office.

He was reacting to accusations by a group, Jemgbagh Development Association, that he was involved in the ouster moves against the PDP national chairman, a fellow Benue man.

This is coming as a surprise to many based on the position of his close ally, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

However, netizens have taken to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter to express their views on the statement made by Governor Ortom.

Below are some of the reactions…

Gov. Ortom Breaks with Wike, Says He’s Not Supporting Ayu’s Removal. 😂

— Dan_Borno (@DanBornoReal) September 27, 2022

Thank you, Governor Ortom. Na man you be

— OBIANUJUAKU (@HRH_Ujuaku) September 27, 2022

PDP crisis: Ortom breaks ranks with Wike, backs Ayu to stay as party chair.

Okoro ooh!!😀😂🤣

— Aye S.O. Egberi (Mouthpiece Of APC) (@AyebagbalinyoS) September 27, 2022

Ortom leaves Wike!

Interesting.

— Jake (@Hitee_) September 27, 2022

Governor Ortom finally joins the Atiku camp. Knows Atiku is the best man to win in 2023.
Interesting times ahead for the PDP.

— Forlán (@Viqforlan) September 27, 2022

Wike and Ortom meeting with Tinubu and Shettima in London as I tweet.

Tinubu really wants to end PDP from the inside🤣🤣

— Cross˚ (@Elkrosmediahub) September 26, 2022

Ortom don save him head. Them no they tell person, how will you be supporting the removal of Ayu. Wike is standing on his own. If he likes he should meet with Tinubu and Shettima. That is his business.

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) September 27, 2022

No surprises: votes from the LGAs dominated by Ayu’s Jemgbagh kinsmen are quite massive in his senatorial district with about 3 LGAs.

Ortom’s election is on the ballot, same day as the presidential election.

Politicians will sort themselves, focus on citizen interest. https://t.co/nx19fuA79m

— 'Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) September 27, 2022

https://twitter.com/u_ugwuzion/status/1574652842157162498

https://twitter.com/Rolex7Michael/status/1574646609396187137

https://twitter.com/ItsJayjam/status/1574661356292382720