Free Mffo & Iortyom Now!
Three pro-democracy groups in Benue State have vowed to resist any attempt by former Governor Gabriel Suswam and his allies to sell out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the current state governor, Hyacinth Alia. The coalition, comprising the Defenders of Democracy (DoD), Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ), and Benue Coalition for Democracy (BCD), has accused Suswam of colluding with other political figures, including Terngu Tsegba, Prof. Nicholas Ada, and Terseer Tsumba, in what they describe as a plot to undermine the PDP for financial gain.
In a joint statement signed by their leaders—Amos Uchiv, President of DoD; Aloysius Gbakaan, President of ATJ; and Ternenge Bendega, Coordinator of BCD—the groups expressed strong displeasure with Suswam’s alleged actions and his increasing aggression towards PDP members who oppose his plans. They cited the recent arrest and detention of Hon. Isaac Mffo, the immediate past Acting State Chairman of the PDP in Benue State, and Chief Bemgba Iortyom, the former State Publicity Secretary of the party, as evidence of a crackdown on dissent within the party.
“We will resist the plot of Suswam and his group to mortgage our party to Governor Alia, even if they arrest and detain most members of the party who are against their evil plan,” the statement declared. The coalition condemned the arrests as a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights and an attempt to suppress freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The groups accused Suswam’s supporters of fabricating allegations against Mffo and Iortyom in retaliation for their criticism of Suswam’s suspension from the party. According to the coalition, these actions are part of a broader misuse of power designed to silence critical voices and pave the way for Governor Alia’s alleged defection to the PDP.
“The orchestrated attack on two dedicated former party officials is an alarming reminder of the lengths to which some individuals can go to maintain control and suppress democratic engagement,” the statement read. “Suswam and Alia’s action is not only hypocritical but also fundamentally undemocratic.”
The pro-democracy groups further called on the PDP leadership at all levels to condemn what they described as a “trade of the soul” of the party. They stressed that democracy can only thrive when there is respect for dialogue, debate, and the right of party members to express their views without fear of retribution.
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“As a former governor, Suswam should exemplify the principles of democracy and respect for the rule of law. Instead, he has chosen to wield his influence to intimidate and coerce fellow party members,” they asserted. “We find this as pure vendetta!”
The coalition demanded the immediate release of Hon. Isaac Mffo and Chief Bemgba Iortyom and an end to what they termed the “harassment and intimidation of political opponents” in Benue State. They urged all stakeholders within the PDP to take a stand against these undemocratic practices and protect the party’s integrity from being compromised by those they described as “buccaneers.”
The statement concluded with a strong call for action: “It is imperative that we uphold the values of democracy, respect for human rights, and the importance of internal party democracy.”
The ongoing tension within the PDP in Benue State reflects broader challenges faced by political parties in Nigeria, where internal conflicts often threaten the unity and purpose of party structures. As the PDP leadership grapples with these issues, the spotlight remains on Suswam and his alleged dealings, raising questions about the future direction of the party in the state.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW
WE WILL RESIST SUSWAM’S ATTEMPT TO SELL PDP TO ALIA – Group
Free Mffo & Iortyom Now!
Joint Statement by Defenders of Democracy (DoD), Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ), and Benue Coalition for Democracy (BCD)
We, the undersigned pro-democracy groups—Defenders of Democracy (DoD), Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ), and Benue Coalition for Democracy (BCD) unanimously express our displeasure with the surreptitious moves being former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam in connivance with expired politicians like Terngu Tsegba Prof Nicholas Ada and Terseer Tsumba to sell our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in exchange for billions of naira to the Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The apparent failure of Suswam and his conspirators to achieve their aim has made them become angry, grow wild and resort to aggression against innocent and law abiding members of the party in the state. One of their desperate actions was the recent arrest and detention of Hon. Isaac Mffo, the immediate past Acting State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, and Chief Bemgba Iortyom, the erstwhile State Publicity Secretary of the party.
We will resist the plot of Suswam and his group to mortgage our party to Governor Alia even if they arrest and detain most members of the party who are against their evil plan.
We strongly condemn the arrest and remand of Hon. Mffo and Chief Iortyom.This action of Senator Suswam and his conspirators stands condemned as it is an unacceptable disregard for the fundamental human rights of Mffo and Iortyom and suppression of freedom of expression enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of this country (as amended).
The allegations made by Suswam’s supporters who wrote the petition against Mffo and Iortyom, regarding their legitimate statement concerning his suspension, are not merely personal grievances. They reveal a deeper issue within our political landscape—the misuse of power to silence dissenting voices. We know that Governor Alia is behind all this, to pave way for his defection to PDP.
The orchestrated attack on two dedicated former party officials is an alarming reminder of the lengths to which some individuals can go to maintain control and suppress democratic engagement. Suswam and Alia’s action is not only hypocritical but also fundamentally undemocratic.
It is essential to recognize that democracy thrives on dialogue, debate, and the ability of members within a political party to express their views without fear of retribution. The arrest of Mffo and Iortyom is a direct violation of their rights to free speech and assembly, as enshrined in our constitution. By attempting to silence the duo, Governor Alia, Senator Suswam and their allies are undermining the very fabric of democratic governance and internal party cohesion.
As a former governor, Suswam should exemplify the principles of democracy and respect for the rule of law. Instead, he, with the strong support of the current Benue State governor, has chosen to wield his influence to intimidate and coerce fellow party members. We find this as pure vendetta!
Read: Benue PDP youths ask Suswam to Stop Tormenting Mffo, Bemgba
We urge all stakeholders, including the PDP leadership at all levels and members of the party, to rise in condemnation of this undemocratic act by those who want to trade the soul of our great party to buccaneers. It is imperative that we uphold the values of democracy, respect for human rights, and the importance of internal party democracy. We call for the immediate release of Hon. Isaac Mffo and Chief Bemgba Iortyom, and we demand an end to the harassment and intimidation of political opponents in Benue State.
Signed:
Amos Uchiv
President, Defenders of Democracy (DoD)
Aloysius Gbakaan
President, Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ)
Ternenge Bendega
Coordinator, Benue Coalition for Democracy (BCD).
