David Mark, Suswam Fight over PDP Leadership in Benue

All may not be well with the Benue state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

There seems to be a leadership row between the former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and former Senate President David Mark for the soul of the party in the state.

This, even as efforts are underway to revive the party after its poor outing in the 2015 general elections.

It left bruises in the minds of its members who cried foul that the party leadership may also be hampered by this leadership tussle.

This indication came to the fore when the Governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 general elections, Terhemen Tarzoor, today addressed a joint session of party leaders.

The said leaders are from the Benue North-East and Benue North-West senatorial districts.

He, however, excluded those from the Benue South Senatorial district from whence David Mark hails.

The meeting was attended by members of the party’s state working committee, Past Local Government Chairmen, state assembly members and past aspirants from the two senatorial districts.

At the meeting, Tarzoor stated categorically that the former Governor is the leader of the party in the state.

He enjoined the party’s faithful to disregard similar claims from other quarters.

 “…Let nobody deceive us.

“His Excellency Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam remains the leader of the PDP in Benue state and by extension the North Central,” he said.

According to findings, this meeting may not be unconnected to a similar gathering organised by Sen. David Mark in Otukpo.

There he addressed only party faithful from his Benue South Senatorial District.

He also declared himself leader of the party in the state.

Gabriel Ochoga