The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has denied reports that members of its newly formed Executive Committee paid a visit to Dr Mathias Byuan in Abuja, labelling the claims as false and an attempt to sow discord within the party.
In a statement signed by several key figures, including Chief Isaac Mffo, the former Acting Chairman of the Benue PDP, the party clarified that the visit to Dr Byuan was a private one and had no connection to the party’s leadership. The statement refuted allegations circulating in the public space, stating that the visit was made by individuals on personal engagements, not as representatives of the Benue PDP Exco.
The false claims, according to the signatories, are the work of disgruntled members who lost out in the recently concluded PDP elective congresses in the state. These individuals, the statement noted, have resorted to spreading misinformation in an attempt to discredit the party and its leadership.
The statement explained that one of the individuals present during the visit was an in-law of Dr. Byuan and extended the invitation to the group on a personal level. “Our visit to the Executive Director of Housing Finance and Accounts in the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) was entirely private and not political,” the statement clarified, adding that only two members of the group are party officials, and they were not acting in any official capacity.
Dismissing the allegations as “petty and laughable,” the statement reiterated the loyalty of the party’s officials to the PDP and its leader in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom. The party urged the public to disregard the claims and avoid giving attention to what they described as the “mischief” of frustrated party members.
The statement was jointly signed by Chief Isaac Mffo, Rt. Hon. Azua Avough Ashongo (PDP State Deputy Chairman), Hon. Tim Nyor (PDP State Publicity Secretary), and Chief Bemgba Iortyom (former State Publicity Secretary).