2023: Atiku Appoints Secondus Technical Adviser

• Saraki, Anyim, Shekarau, Others Appointed As Special Advisers
• As Ortom said He Has No Hand In Ayu’s Travails

Following the commencement of the 2023 election campaigns on Wednesday, as directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar on Monday appointed the former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus as Technical Adviser.

This is even as Secondus said that he received the news of the appointment, adding that the mission to Rescue Nigeria that he initiated in 2018 will come to fulfillment by the Special Grace of Almighty God.

Also appointed are; former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Special Envoy, and Senator Pius Anyim, Special Adviser.

Others appointed as Special Advisers to the candidate are former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Ehigie Uzamere.

Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said that the appointments were made to strengthen his presidential campaign team and are to take immediate effect.

Atiku Abubakar charged the appointees to use their vast political experiences in ensuring that the PDP presidential campaign records resounding success in the 2023 election.

Meanwhile, the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has said that he has no hand in the current travails of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The governor said that it is outright mischief for anyone, including the Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja chapter to accuse him of having a hand in the current travails of Ayu.

Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur said, “It is an open secret that Governor Ortom worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens to ensure that Dr. Ayu gets elected as the National Chairman of our great party even against all odds. He cannot, therefore, turn around to work against him to be removed from office.

“In the run-up to the National Convention, Governor Ortom got the backing of many leaders of the PDP who believed his sense of judgment when he vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration.

“That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the Northern caucus of the party and got elected as the national chairman of the PDP at the party’s convention.”

The statement further said: “Where was Jemgbagh Development Association when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu National Chairman? What was their contribution to that project that they now want to use a clannish stance to blackmail the Governor?

“It is, therefore, laughable how this amorphous and emergency Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja who have never been heard of before, is now masquerading as the voice of Jemgbagh to embark on a campaign of calumny against Governor Ortom who has worked selflessly for the people of Benue State.

“What is currently going on in our great party is the beauty in the evolution of democracy and has nothing to do with Governor Ortom working against the national chairman.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ortom is more Jemgbagh than most of the people claiming it now. This is a fact because he has done more for Jemgbagh both in terms of appointments and projects executed as well as patronage in the area than even one of the Jemgbagh sons who was Governor.

“Besides, Governor Ortom has consistently worked for the unity of Benue State and will never stand in the way of any of her citizens, either here in the state or in the diaspora.

“For those who claim to be leaders of this Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, we  urge them to be truly developmental in their drive to build cohesion among the people and attract real development to their area rather than engaging in mischief or blackmail.”