NEWS
Benue PDP Crisis: We Have Issues Dividing Our Party in Benue- Suswam, Ortom
From Attah Ede Makurdi
Former Governor of Benue State and leader of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Samuel Ortom and his predecessor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, on Thursday, admitted that there were contentious issues confronting the peace and unity of the party in the State.
The two leaders further said that there was need to address the root cause of the problem that had bedeviled the party thereby causing disaffection amongst members.
Both leaders spoke during the expanded stakeholders meeting of the party that was convened by the State Caretaker Committee of the party held at the party secretariat in Makurdi.
Although discussions at the meeting were expected to revolve around the forthcoming chairmanship and council elections in the state, issues of the crises that had come on the party took center stage.
But at the end of the day, all parties including Ortom, Senator Suswam and Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South senatorial district and the speakers from the three senatorial zones resolved to close ranks and move forward.
Declaring the meeting open, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, AVM Napoleon Bali, said the meeting was to brief members of the party ahead of the forthcoming Local Government (LG)elections in the state.
Although he confirmed that there were issues on ground, he was confident that such issues would be resolved and put behind the party in no distant time from now.
While he encouraged party members to pick forms and contest the election, he said he was hopeful that despite all, the PDP would make an impact in the election.
Bali, who advised members of the party to play by the rules, pledged that it would ensure that the right thing was done at all times.
In his remarks, Senator Suswam observed that “If we pretend here that there are no issues and go into the local government elections, the same issues that are on ground will resurface.
In his remarks, the leader of the party in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom insisted that, “We (PDP) are a strong force; till tomorrow PDP remains a big party that can win elections at any time.
“And by the grace of God we have seen the power of uniting together to win elections, but when we are divided we lose and that shows a big lesson that we must not fight to fulfill our personal interest or boost our ego but we should fight for the interest of the party. That is what will make things work for us.
“And where things are wrong, we should be bold enough to confront them (leaders) because the end result will be where we have found ourselves today; being complacent and sitting on the fence will not help us.
“I also agree as leader of the party that things are not well with us and there is need for us to sit together; if we sit together we can be able to iron out our differences; those areas that are conflicting with our interest and then we can come out with solutions that will project and promote the People’s Democratic Party.
“We are on ground and if we are united, I can assure you that we are going to win elections anytime and any day.
“You (Caretaker Committee) have additional work to do; as our leaders we must work closely because we know how elections at the local levels are done and here I think we can win with a little bit of careful strategy.
“In our party, we have always had conflicts but we have always found ways of resolving it and that is why in the Constitution of our party it is embedded in the conflict resolution mechanism; internally we sort out our problems.
“We can still do it; we can do that at individual levels, discuss with ourselves. Where we cannot, there are others we can call to help us resolve it. That is life; that is politics; you cannot run away from conflicts
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South senatorial district who appealed to leaders of the party not to meddle in the selection process, insisted that the emergence of the right candidate was key to the PDP winning the local government polls in the state.
Speaker after speaker, from each of the senatorial zones, stressed the need for the PDP to have a united house that was capable of winning any election in the state.
While they pledged that they would continually support the party to succeed, the speakers also pledged to extend the same support to the Caretaker Committee to ensure a smooth transition.
They also appealed to the Committee to work towards ensuring that peace was restored in the state chapter of the PDP, stating that the move would grant the PDP victory, come 2027.
TOM CHIAHEMEN
All is now set for the grand celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Club De Pals Abuja, the foremost socio-cultural association of Tiv professionals resident and working in the federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.
The grand celebration, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 6th December 2025 at the Royal Choice Inn Hotel located within the National Christian Centre – behind the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters in the Central Business Centre, Abuja, has as its theme, “30 Unbroken Years of Sustained Unity in Friendship.
”Highlights of the event, according to the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the 30th Anniversary celebration, Dr Cletus Akwaya, include the unveiling of the revised Club De Pals Constitution, inauguration of the newly constituted Board of Trustees, special recognition of deceased Members and, Fund Raising for the construction of a Permanent Club House Secretariat.
Other activities include a keynote address by a former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and current Federal Commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Professor Steve Ugbah, cuttingof the Anniversary Cake and, presentation of Awards to past presidents of the Club and other deserving Nigerians.
Formed and registered in 1995 as a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of Tiv young professionals in the Nation’s capital, Club De Pals has since emerged as the single most formidable umbrella body that articulates the views and interests of the Tiv people of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River and Plateau states, as well as the FCT.
From its initial membership of 10 young professionals, the Club has today grown with well over 100 members, just as the association has produced, within the 30 years of its existence, university professors, directors in the federal civil service, state commissioners, publishers and media owners, senior legal practitioners, engineers, medical doctors, pharmacists, architects and school proprietors.
Within the 30 years of its existence, Club De Pals has contributed immensely to community development, philanthropy, humanitarian services and other good causes, including interventions in the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of ecological disasters, communal conflicts and terrorism and other individuals and groups with health and educational challenges.
TOM CHIAHEMEN
Chairman, Media & Publicity Sub-Commitee
NEWS
Military Neutralises Scores, Rescues 318 Victims as Armed Forces Intensify Nationwide Operations
By David Torough, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops recorded major breakthroughs across all theatres of operation in November, neutralising scores of terrorists and other criminal elements, arresting dozens of suspects, and rescuing 318 kidnapped victims nationwide.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations.
He said the operations targeted terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime criminality across the country.According to him, more than 69 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops during the period under review, while intensive ground, air and maritime operations degraded several criminal networks in the North East, North West, North Central, South East and South South regions.
General Onoja noted that the AFN also foiled oil theft valued at N217.6 million, destroying 16 illegal refining sites and recovering over 289,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined products.
North East Operations
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Borno and Adamawa states, carrying out aggressive clearance operations supported by close air support missions. Several terrorists were neutralised, six informants arrested, and five kidnapped victims rescued. Weapons, vehicles and motorcycles were seized, while terrorist camps were destroyed.
North West Operations
Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops conducted offensive operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa states. Numerous terrorists were neutralised, 13 suspects arrested, and nine kidnapped victims freed. Air strikes on terrorist enclaves in Kankara and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State eliminated scores of fighters and destroyed their logistics bases.
North Central Operations
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE and Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded significant gains across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi and the FCT. Across these missions, dozens of extremists were neutralised, 48 suspects arrested, and 30 kidnap victims rescued. Arms, ammunition, vehicles and motorcycles were also recovered.
South South Operations
Operation DELTA SAFE troops uncovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites and arrested 25 suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states. They also recovered 12,390 litres of stolen crude and AGO during the week, while offensive and air reconnaissance operations neutralised several other criminals.
South East Operations
In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive operations across Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Cross River. Several terrorists were neutralised, four arrested, and four kidnapped victims rescued. Air interdiction missions in Ezeagu LGA destroyed terrorist hideouts and logistics.
General Onoja commended the bravery and professionalism of troops and urged continued public cooperation through the provision of credible information. He also called for support for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem launched by President Bola Tinubu on December 2.
He assured Nigerians that the military is intensifying efforts to ensure the safe rescue of all remaining abducted students, reaffirming its resolve to restore peace and security across the country.
“Despite the challenges, our operational tempo remains high. We continue to operate within the ambit of the law and are committed to ensuring that every part of Nigeria enjoys peace and freedom from fear,” he said.
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…Says He Can’t Work as Team Member with Chris Musa
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Following the resignation of Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, an internationally acclaimed Nigerian security expert, Dr Lekan Jackson Ojo has called on Minister of State (Defence), Bello Matawalle.
Dr Ojo declared that Matawalle, just like the immediate past Minister of Defence, has not shown that he is capable of handling the responsibilities of the office he is presently occupying.
He stressed that Matawalle has been very dormant since his appointment and has exhibited poor response to security challenges in the country.
“I think Matawalle should also follow immediately, that is the Minister of State for Defence.
These two persons are not relevant, they ran their states aground as governors.”Dr Jackson Ojo also called on President Tinubu to appraise members of his Cabinet and sack those that are not performing optimally.
“They came to the federal level and were honoured with positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of State. What has been their contributions to the administration?”
He also raised issues about the appointment of General Chris Musa as the new Minister of Defence, stressing that there could be conflict of interest since the new Defence Minister was once answerable to Matawalle when he was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
“Minister of Defence is gone and I think Matawalle should follow. If Mr President should continue like this there are lots of others we will suggest he should fire them.
“He should bring in technocrats into his cabinet and not politicians. Congratulations to Nigerians that one is gone and more will still follow.”
“I want to congratulate Nigerians that former Minister of Defence, Badaru, has resigned, whether he resigned of was booted out. He was of no positive impact on Nigeria as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The office of Minister of Defense is a very sensitive one because without a good defence minister nothing will thrive.
“The position is occupied now by an experienced retired four-star army general, Chris Musa
“What is Bello Matawalle who was the Minister of State under Badaru still waiting for, is it until Mr President boots him out?
“Both of them did not achieve anything in office as My Minister and Minister of State.
“Recently we saw a video that went viral where Matawalle said verbatim that not all bandits are criminals. If somebody is saddled with the responsibility as Minister of Defence and he is having sympathy for some bandits it means Nigeria was almost doomed.
“There are lots of allegations by bandits that he was one of their sponsors. Let’s not take that on the face value because it can be political but this about having sympathy for bandits, coupled with the fact that both of them failed woefully and both of them should bow out.
“Pairing Matawalle and General Chris Musa together is like addicting pass and fail together – it won’t blend. The two of them cannot co-travel well at the Ministry of Defence.
“The two of them don’t have equal knowledge about defence matters. While General Chris Musa has vast knowledge of defence, Matawalle has no knowledge of defence.
“Chris Musa is an experienced man, we know him well but how can he pair with someone that has sympathy for bandits?
“So Matawalle should honourable bow out and if he fails to bow out Mr President should kick him out.”
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