The All Progressives Congress (APC) has summoned Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his political godfather Senator George Akume to Abuja.
This followed yesterday’s statement by the governor that he had been shut out of the party. He hinted of his plan to defect from the party.
Sources said last night that Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shu’aibu, invited them for the meeting in Abuja.
Ortom said the APC gave him a red card.
Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi while swearing-in the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Jerome, Tor Shine.
Ortom, who is believed to be heading to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “APC has given me red card, they shut me outside; I’m now party less but may soon decide my next journey.”
But a party member, who pleaded for anonymity, said Ortom is already a member of the PDP.
He advised the governor to tell his followers the truth about his decision.
But National Chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole dismissed reports of Ortom’s exit, saying the party did not shut its doors on any governor elected on its platform.
Oshiomhole, who addressed reporters after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), said the governor assured him severally that he will not leave the party.
He noted that if Ortom has actually left, the party will need to study the situation before formally reacting to it.
“Governor Ortom is a very senior member of the party and he has said so repeatedly in print, and even told me that he will not leave the APC unless he was pushed out.
“I have since assumed chairmanship of this party along with my colleagues in the NWC and I know of a fact that we have not shut out any governor and certainly not governor Ortom.”