PDP Crisis: Melaye and Ortom Clash Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

A heated exchange took place during the North Central zonal leadership meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja on Wednesday, as former Kogi State governorship candidate, Dino Melaye, and ex-governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, engaged in a verbal altercation.

Melaye accused Ortom of engaging in anti-party activities during the 2023 presidential election, which, according to Melaye, led to PDP losing both the presidential and governorship elections in Benue State.

He expressed surprise that the former governor could attend a PDP meeting despite his previous actions against the party.

During the 2023 election, Ortom joined the G-5 governors, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in opposing PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

While other members of the group supported President Bola Tinubu’s victory, Ortom backed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

This recent clash highlights the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP, which has seen various factions and disagreements among its members.

The situation has raised concerns about the party’s ability to remain united and effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.

As the PDP grapples with these internal issues, it remains to be seen how the party will address the concerns raised by Melaye and other members, and whether it can successfully resolve its internal disputes to present a united front in the future.