Samuel Ortom, the former Governor of Benue State, has refuted claims of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ortom, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Terver Akase, characterised the circulating claim as erroneous and deceptive.
He asserted that the report is a calculated falsehood intended to deceive the public and generate ambiguity over his political membership.
He asserted that the allegation was unfounded and malicious, claiming it was orchestrated by individuals funded by political adversaries disturbed by his ongoing significance in Benue State politics.
The former governor asserted that the report’s creators fabricated a counterfeit APC membership card, which they inaccurately ascribed to Ortom and disseminated online to lend legitimacy to their assertions.
The statement asserted, “This act is not only reckless but also reveals the profound desperation of its proponents,” emphasising that the purported defection exists solely in the minds of its advocates.
Ortom reiterated his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasising that he is “a proud, committed, and influential member” of the organization.
He reiterated his status within the party, affirming that he continues to serve as the leader of the PDP in Benue State and is a distinguished member of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT.