Governor Gabriel Ortom has urged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel members who participated in a coalition and engaged in activities detrimental to the party.
Speaking during the party’s expanded caucus meeting in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, Ortom asserted that the removal of these “moths and termites” would strengthen the PDP’s position as it prepares to reclaim its mandate in the 2027 elections.
“I am confident that the PDP will bounce back to power in 2027,” Ortom declared, emphasizing that the party would be better off without those who had defected to the coalition. He stated, “The PDP is strong. In the 2023 election, we were rigged out, and we had ‘moths and termites’ who tormented the party. Today, we have a united front. I assure you that without these disruptors, we will win future elections as a committed party.”
Ortom also outlined his vision for the future, promising to implement the Anti-Open Grazing Law, end violence, and facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. He expressed a determination to secure the state and restore its reputation as the “food basket” of the nation, asserting, “We will install a government that listens and prioritizes the security of our land.”
He also noted that while the party remains open to strategic partnerships, those who are neither fully committed nor aligned with the PDP should be expelled to make room for fresh ideas and leadership.
Senator Abba Moro, the Senate minority leader, echoed Ortom’s sentiments, affirming that the PDP remains “strong, vibrant, and intact.” He pointed out that those who have left the party were frustrated by their inability to disrupt the party’s unity. “Some individuals who felt frustrated due to their failure to confuse anyone and derail the party’s will have moved to another party,” Moro stated, adding that the ADC, which some have joined, represents a leap into uncertainty.
Moro emphasized his commitment to the PDP, declaring, “I have no reason to leave the PDP, not now or in the future. We will be battle-ready for 2027.” He dismissed the notion of social media warfare, asserting that those who chose to leave would soon realize there are no greener pastures elsewhere. “We will foster a winning mentality for 2027,” he concluded.
In earlier remarks, the state PDP chairman, Ezekiel Adaji, described the coalition as merely a fleeting issue, reaffirming that the PDP is growing stronger despite facing challenges that will soon be addressed.