Benue PDP summons Suswam, others over anti-party activities

The Benue chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned former Governor Gabriel Suswam and four others over alleged anti-party activities.

In a statement yesterday in Makurdi by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the party explained that the five persons were summoned “to give reasons why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for gross misconduct and anti-party activities.”

Also summoned for same allegations were PDP chairmen in nine council areas of the state.

The decision to summon the quintet, according to the PDP, became necessary following the alleged “invasion of the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi yesterday (Tuesday) by hoodlums, led by the suspended State Chairman, John Ngbede, which credible intelligence reveals was under the alleged sponsorship and support of the Suswam-led group.”

It went on: “PDP observes that in the particular case of Senator Suswam, weighty allegations have been mounting against him of acts inimical to the good health and interests of the party.

“Such acts and many others, which Senator Suswam and his cohorts are accused of, constitute a violation of Section 58 of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017), and consequently, in line with provisions of the same Section of the PDP Constitution, he and the following are hereby summoned to appear before the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, 2024. They are Terngu Tsegba, Richard Gbande, Terseer Tsumba and Prof. Nicholas Ada.

“The Local Government chairmen of the party for the following LGAs are also summoned to appear before the SWC on related charges on the same date, venue and time.

“They are those of Apa, Gboko, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Logo, Otukpo, Ukum and Tarka LGAs.

Suswam and his aides could not be reached for comments but a former House of Representative member, Tsegba challenged the spokesman and others to make themselves available at the party secretariat today.

He said: “It is obvious that Bemgba is impersonating because he has been suspended by his ward and ratified by the court. Since he said we should appear before them at the party secretariat, ask him if he can step his foot on the secretariat.”