I'm still an APC member, Governor declares after meeting Oshiomhole

Days after being

The governor stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

Ortom who entered the APC national secretariat at about 11:55 am was received by the deputy national chairman (North), Senator Lawali Shuaibu.

Ortom met with the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and other members of the National Working Committee behind closed doors.

Governor Ortom had accused the APC in Benue state of handing him a red card.

He however said he had not decided on which party to pitch his tent with.

The APC national chairman, maintained that Ortom was still in the party adding that the governor was not handed a red card by the state chapter of the party.

The governor who reiterated Oshiomhole's position on the matter noted that efforts are in place by the national leadership of the APC to resolve issues.

"I am here in APC, a member of APC, am still flying the flag of APC and I only said I was given a red card but I have been corrected by the national chairman,” Ortom announced.

“I was given a red card by a Senator…but the leadership of the party told me that the decision of the party leadership at the national level is superior to any individual and I think that is good enough.

"We have spoken to him, he has spoken to me, stakeholders are going to be spoken to and that is where I belong. We have not concluded the matter, it is an ongoing process because I have always stood for peace and I always want peace to prevail," the Benue state governor added.

The meeting comes barely 24-hours after Governor Ortom was sighted amongst PDP stalwarts and the Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara state.

The politicians had met behind closed doors amidst defection rumours.

Governor Ortom has had a frosty relationship with the federal government in the past few months on the back of violent killings in the state which has led to the death of hundreds.

Defence minister, Mansur Dan Ali has continually blamed the crisis on the Anti-Open Grazing Law signed by Governor Ortom.