As the 2023 election campaigns formally kick starts tomorrow, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday appointed the former national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, as his technical adviser.
Also appointed are former Presidents of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Special Envoy, and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Special Adviser.
Others appointed as Special Advisers to the candidate are former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Senator Ehigie Uzamere.
Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said that the appointments were made to strengthen his presidential campaign team and are to take immediate effect.
Atiku Abubakar charged the appointees to use their vast political experiences in ensuring that the PDP presidential campaign records resounding success in the 2023 election.
Meanwhile, the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has said that he has no hand in the current travails of the national chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
The governor said that it is outright mischief for anyone, including the Jemgbagh DevelopmentAssociation, Abujachapter, toaccusehimof having ahandin the current travails of Ayu.
Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, said, “It is an open secret that Governor Ortom worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens to ensure that Dr. Ayu got elected as the national chairman of our great party even against all odds. He cannot therefore turn around to work against him to be removed from office.
“In the run up to the national convention, Governor Ortom got the backing of many leaders of the PDP who believed his sense of judgment when he vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration.
“That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the Northern caucus of the party and got elected as the national chairman of the PDP at the party’s convention.”
The statement further said: “Where was Jemgbagh Development Association when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu national chairman? What was their contribution into that project that they now want to useclannishstancetoblackmail the governor?
“It is, therefore, laughable how this amorphous and emergency Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, who have never been heard of before, is now masquerading as the voice of Jemgbagh to embark on campaign of calumny against Governor Ortom who has worked selflessly for the people of Benue State.
“What is currently going on in our great party is the beauty in the evolution of democracy and has nothing to do with Governor Ortom working against the national chairman.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ortom is more Jemgbagh than most of the people claiming it now. This is fact because he has done more for Jemgbagh both in terms of appointments and projects executed as well as patronage in the area than even one of the Jemgbagh son who was governor.
“Besides, Governor Ortom has consistently worked for the unity of Benue State and will never stand in the way of any of her citizens, either here in the state or in the diaspora.
