2027 Presidency: Ortom Defends Tinubu Support, Says ‘I Have No Regret’

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has defended his decision to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he does not regret the position he took.

Speaking on ARISE News, Ortom addressed the political landscape in Benue, preparations for the 2027 elections and his strained relationship with the state governor, Hyacinth Alia.

Ortom said his decision to support Tinubu followed the outcome of the 2023 election, noting that Nigerians had given the former Lagos State governor the mandate to lead the country.

He disclosed that although he supported Peter Obi in 2023, he changed his political position after Tinubu won the presidency.

The former governor said he later made his support for Tinubu’s 2027 bid public following the appointment of Nyesom Wike, his former G5 colleague, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ortom stressed that he remains with Wike politically and said he is working alongside his supporters in Benue State to secure another term for Tinubu.

“I made a statement, and I have no regret making that statement, that 2027 some of us will support Tinubu to win,” he said.

Explaining his position, Ortom said: “In 2023, I supported Obi. When Nigerians spoke and President Tinubu was president, I said, ‘If you can’t beat them, you join them.’ I want to assure you that I remain committed with our national leader, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, that I, Samuel Ortom, and my people here in Benue State, as far as we are concerned, we’re working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

However, Ortom took aim at Governor Alia’s administration ahead of the 2027 Benue governorship election, accusing it of failing to respect the rule of law and allegedly victimising political opponents.

He also claimed that local government autonomy was yet to be implemented in the state and alleged that the Alia administration had not convened a stakeholders’ meeting involving members of different political parties since taking office.

On the controversy surrounding government vehicles, Ortom alleged that 23 vehicles had not been returned despite a court judgment directing their release. He maintained that the vehicles had been properly allocated to him and other former officials after they completed their tenure.

Ortom also spoke about his post-election relationship with Alia, saying he had initially tried to build a working relationship with the governor. He said he offered to provide advice and support to the administration but alleged that Alia did not take his calls or give him an opportunity to engage further.

According to Ortom, the 2027 polls will allow the people of Benue State to assess the performance of the Alia administration and decide its fate.

He said he would back candidates of his choice for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, while maintaining his support for Tinubu’s presidential bid.

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