Ortom: APC has given me a red card, I am looking for a new party

Less than 48 hours after winning the Ekiti State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, lost one of its governors to opposition party.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said he had been given a red card by the ruling party, “so, I cease to be a member of the All Progressives Congress”.
Ortom, who spoke in Makurdi shortly after swearing in Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jerome Shimbe, said: “I am looking for a new party that has an ideology worthy of being adopted by my administration”
Shimbe replaces Titus Zam who was sacked on July 8.
The governor stated that the strained relationship between him and the party on which platform he contested the 2015 governorship election has left him without a party.
The governor partially dissolved his cabinet last week, retaining four out of the 16 commissioners and seven out of 19 Special Advisers.
Although he gave no reason for the sacking of the members of the expanded cabinet members, it was learned that the sudden cabinet reshuffle might not be unconnected with the friction between him and APC leader in the state, Senator George Akume.
Akume was governor of the North-Central state between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ortom also said the appointment of Shimbe was based on his impeccable character and proven track record of service.
He advised the new adviser to strive to justify the confidence reposed in him and open his doors to all indigenes seeking for assistance from him, regardless of their political affiliation.
Responding, Shimbe thanked the governor for finding him worthy of the appointment while pledging to ensure that the governor succeeds in all his endeavours.