By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State have endorsed the former Governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam for the position of National Chairman of the party.

The former Governor had few weeks back indicated interest to assume leadership of the party as National Chairman to complete the tenure of the former National Chairman from North Central, Dr. Iorchia Ayu who was removed from office by his Ward Executive and affirmed by the court.

The stakeholders who took turns to endorse Senator Suswam Thursday at a gathering put together in Makurdi by Concerned Benue PDP Stakeholders, attested to his capacity and capability to lead the party back to winning ways.

Among the groups who endorsed the ambition of the former governor were former PDP members of the House of Representstives led by former Speaker Pro Tempore, Chief Terngu Tsegba who maintained that with Senator Suswam as National Chairman sanity would be restored to the party.

He said, “we former members of the House of Representatives who are still members of the PDP are standing behind Senator Suswam because he will restore discipline in the party.

“He will restore the values of the party. Under the leadership of Senator Suswam, PDP will not be hijacked by outsiders, he will reform the party and bring back its glory days.”

Also, the elders of the party in the state from the Tiv speaking areas of the state  known as the G-14, led by Chief Laha Dzever noted that the party had lost grounds and it was time to recover the lost grounds “and the person to led that mission is Senator Suswam who has our support.”

On his party, the Leader of the G-9 comprising Idoma speaking areas of the state and former State Chairman of the party, Chief Mike Iduma who recalled how steadfast Senator Suswam had been in his support for the PDP since the inception of the party, said, “he is experinecd, exposed and has been tried and found completely capable to lead the party as National Chairman.”

Former appointees of Senator Suswam, led by former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr  Alex Adum said Senator Suswam has the backing of PDP members in the state “and the next thing is for us to present him to the State Working Committee of the party and from there to the zonal and national leadership because he is our choice.”

Also, former and serving State Assembly members of the party, former Local Government Council Chairmen as well as Councillors and PDP Local Government Chairmen including Women Leaders and groups all endorsed the former governor for the position.