What I Expected From Atiku Before And After He Chose His Running Mate – Gov. Samuel Ortom Opens Up

The infighting in the main opposition party may snowball into an unmanagable Crisis if the party leaders do not put necessary measures in place to address the situation.

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has been blowing hot in the last few days on different live TV programmes just to caution the party leaders especially the presidential candidate on the need to address some nagging issues bothering the affairs of the party.

While speaking as special guest on the Thursday edition of Channels TV Politics Today, Governor Ortom spoke on what he expected the former vice president to do before and after the emergence of his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to Samuel Ortom, Atiku should have got across to the party leaders across the states and discuss with them on the need to put their personal interest aside and work for the unity of the party irrespective of whoever emerges as vice presidential candidate.

He said as at that time, he knew he was going to pick Okowa before he constituted a 17-man Committee to select his from three shortlisted candidates for his running mate.

Governor Ortom further explained that after he settled for Okowa, he expected him to have reached out to aggrieved members of the party especially him and Governor Wike.

He said till now, Atiku had not visited Nyesom Wike who has been holding the party together for years. He also said he has not visited him (Ortom) as well.

How can you be preparing for presidential election when your party is in disarray? Does he think he can win the election by himself? Ortom asked.

The governor said Atiku needs to do more than he is currently doing at the moment. The situation in PDP is not something he can address on twitter. He needs to move around and reconcile aggrieved members before it is too late.

If that is not done, PDP should forget 2023 and return to the drawing board.

Samuel Ortom made this statement on Thursday while featuring on Channels TV Politics Today.