“You Can’t Be in Two Parties” – Ortom Vows PDP Will Expel ADC Supporters

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will expel members who are also aligning themselves with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform of the recently formed opposition coalition. In an interview on Channels Television, Ortom emphasized that no individual can simultaneously belong to two political parties, declaring, “You cannot have two parties running at the same time. You must be in one.”

Ortom, a key figure in the PDP, did not mention any names but stressed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has been instructed to identify and expel those who are involved with both the PDP and the ADC. His comments come amid growing tensions over political loyalty, as some prominent politicians continue to publicly support the ADC while retaining membership in their original parties.

The controversy is further fueled by the role of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, an ally of Ortom. Wike remains a member of the PDP while openly working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and has pledged to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, mirroring his 2023 stance.

Despite the coalition leaders’ intentions to remain in their respective parties while backing the ADC, Ortom made it clear that such dual affiliations will not be tolerated within the PDP. He noted that efforts are already underway to enforce discipline, revealing that some members have already begun returning to the PDP after reconsidering their positions.