Ortom: My Support for Southern Presidency, Tinubu, Wike Remains Unchanged

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has reaffirmed his commitment to the emergence of a Southern president in 2027, insisting that his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and his political alignment with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, remain unchanged.

Ortom made the clarification while reacting to a report attributed to a group known as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN), which alleged that he was involved in an arrangement to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.
The former governor described the allegation as false, baseless and contrary to his long-standing position on equity, fairness and justice in the leadership of Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Monday by his Media Assistant, Zege Paul Terhide, Ortom said his position on the presidency had remained consistent since the 2023 general elections, when he and four other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, collectively known as the G-5, advocated for the rotation of power to the South.
Ortom explained that the G-5’s position followed eight years of northern presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was based on the need to promote fairness, inclusion, national cohesion and political stability.
He stressed that the position was not motivated by personal animosity against any individual but by the belief that all major sections of the country should have a sense of belonging in the Nigerian federation.
“Chief Ortom stood firmly by that conviction in 2023 despite the enormous political pressure and consequences that came with it. His position has not changed in 2026 and will not suddenly change because some faceless group has manufactured a political story,” the statement said.
The former governor maintained that supporting a northern presidential candidate in 2027 would contradict the principle that informed the G-5’s position in 2023.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Samuel Ortom believes that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027. He therefore has no reason whatsoever to support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or any other northern candidate for President in 2027,” he said.
Ortom also reiterated his support for President Tinubu’s bid for a second term, recalling that he publicly declared his support for the President during a visit to Port Harcourt in 2024.
According to him, Tinubu should be supported to complete the reforms his administration has commenced in the economy and other sectors of the country.
He further dismissed reports suggesting that he had abandoned his political alignment with Wike, saying he remained firmly associated with the FCT Minister, with whom he and other members of the G-5 stood together in 2023.
The statement described Wike as a national leader of the PDP and said there had been no development to suggest that Ortom had entered into any political arrangement with Atiku.
“Chief Ortom’s political position is neither ambiguous nor hidden. He stood for a southern presidency in 2023. He still stands for a southern presidency in 2027. And he remains firmly with Chief Nyesom Wike,” the statement added.
On recent meetings involving Ortom and other prominent Benue indigenes, the former governor said the engagements were part of consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance among stakeholders for the development of the state.
He also described Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as the political leader in Benue State whose leadership transcends party lines.
Ortom said he and other prominent Benue stakeholders remained committed to supporting Akume in his national assignment, describing his appointment as the first time a Benue indigene had occupied the position of SGF.
The former governor also reaffirmed his support for Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 election.
He said Aondoakaa remained the duly nominated candidate of the party and continued to enjoy the confidence and support of PDP leaders, stakeholders and members across the state.
Ortom further described Aondoakaa as a candidate with the experience, competence, character and capacity required to lead Benue, expressing confidence that he could effectively utilise the increased resources accruing to the state following the removal of fuel subsidy to address development challenges and stimulate economic growth.
He urged members of the public to disregard the alleged ICTN report, describing it as an attempt by “desperate political elements” to create divisions and manufacture political alliances that do not exist.
Ortom said he remained committed to the principles of equity, justice and fairness that informed the G-5 Governors’ position in 2023, insisting that political allegations would not alter his position.