The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue has suspended former Governor Samuel Ortom, citing alleged anti-party activities.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Monday by Joseph Nyam, the PDP’s secretary in Benue. Nyam accused Ortom of orchestrating disruptions during a ward congress organized by the party, including the snatching of voting materials.

The statement detailed the allegations: “During the Ward Congresses held on July 27, 2024, at the 276 Ward headquarters, you led and abetted the snatching of election materials in your local government areas, which resulted in the non-conduct of the congresses in Buruku, Gboko, Ushongo, Guma, Tarka, Rwande, and Ohimini local government areas. These acts constitute anti-party activities. Consequently, you are suspended for one month initially and recommended to the State Disciplinary Committee for further adjudication.”

Alongside Ortom, three other individuals—Isaacs Mffo, Azua Ashongo, and Bemgba Iortyom—were also suspended. Ahead of the 2023 elections, Ortom was one of five PDP governors, known as the G5, who declared their support for Bola Tinubu, the then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The G5 members, including Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde, and Okezie Ikpeazu, supported Wike, who was then the governor of Rivers State, in his opposition to the presidential bid of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 elections.