By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has reiterated his support for the retention of the Nigerian presidency in the South in 2027, citing equity, fairness and justice.
Ortom made the position known in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Assistant, Zege Paul, while dismissing a report attributed to a group identified as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN).
The report had alleged, among other claims, that Ortom 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 inconsistent with his long-standing position on power rotation and the presidency.
Ortom recalled that ahead of the 2023 general elections, he and four other governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), collectively known as the G-5 Governors, advocated for the presidency to move to the South after eight years of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, the position was based on the principles of equity, fairness, national cohesion and the need to ensure that all major sections of the country have a sense of belonging.
He said power rotation remained an important instrument for promoting inclusion, political stability and national unity in a diverse country such as Nigeria.
Ortom stressed that his position had not changed, despite the political pressure and consequences he faced during the 2023 election period.
He said it would be contradictory for him to support the return of the presidency to the North in 2027 after advocating for a southern presidency following eight years of northern leadership.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I believe that the Presidency should remain in the South in 2027. I have no reason whatsoever to support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or any other northern candidate for President in 2027.”
The former governor also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he had publicly declared his position in 2024 while speaking in Port Harcourt.
Ortom said he had not changed his position and described Tinubu as the right person to continue with the reforms of his administration.
“In 2024, while speaking in Port Harcourt, I publicly declared support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, and I have not changed my stand,” he said.
“My conviction is that the President is the right man for the job, as he has started well and should be supported to complete his major reforms in the country’s economy and overall development.”
Ortom further dismissed reports suggesting that he had entered into a political arrangement with Atiku, describing such reports as contrary to his established political position.
He also reaffirmed his political alignment with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, with whom he said he and other members of the G-5 stood together in 2023 in defence of equity and justice.
According to him, there has been no development to suggest that Wike has abandoned the political position they shared during the 2023 political realignment.
Ortom said his political position remained clear: he supported a southern presidency in 2023, would continue to support a southern presidency in 2027, and remained aligned with Wike.
Ortom backs Akume’s national assignment
The former governor also explained that meetings between him and other prominent Benue stakeholders were part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance for the development of the state.
He acknowledged Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as a major political leader in Benue State, saying his leadership transcended party lines.
Ortom said he and other stakeholders were committed to supporting Akume to succeed in his national assignment.
“This is the first time a Benue son has occupied the highly influential position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Chief Ortom believes that Senator Akume deserves the collective support of the people of Benue State to enable him to deliver on his mandate and make the state proud,” the statement said.
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