Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Benue State, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel members also aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserting a strict stance against dual party affiliation.
In an interview on Channels Television, Ortom directed the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to take disciplinary action against such individuals, emphasizing the impossibility of simultaneous allegiance to two parties.
“You cannot be in PDP and another party,” Ortom asserted.
“We have instructed for their expulsion. It’s not feasible to maintain dual party memberships. One must choose to remain in PDP if that is their preference.”
Although Ortom did not specify any names, his remarks coincide with increasing friction within the opposition ranks following the establishment of a coalition led by ADC.
Several prominent politicians, including some from the PDP, have endorsed the coalition while retaining their original party ties.
Significantly, Ortom’s close associate and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has faced scrutiny for supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while maintaining PDP membership.
Wike notably endorsed President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections and recently indicated support for Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.
Addressing such instances, Ortom underscored that the PDP will no longer ignore such inconsistencies.
“Just today, I met someone advocating for a coalition,” Ortom remarked. He mentioned his return to the PDP.”
