Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has reiterated his firm support for the continuation of a southern presidency in 2027, insisting that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year term before power returns to the North.
Speaking during a media interaction in Makurdi on Thursday, Ortom stressed the importance of upholding the unwritten agreement on rotational presidency between the North and South.
“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in the southern presidency. Even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for the Presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South.
“South should be allowed to complete eight years. So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate,” he said.
Ortom, alongside former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as well as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, collectively known as the G5, had opposed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate in 2023.
They argued that power should shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.
When asked to evaluate the current administration, Ortom offered praise for President Bola Tinubu’s policy initiatives.
“Tinubu’s administration is doing well, he is ensuring that the rule of law prevails and this is good for our country,” Ortom stated.
He commended the president for removing fuel subsidies, describing it as a bold move that has significantly increased revenue for states.
“The oil industry has been a place where few cliques siphoned our commonwealth, but with the subsidy removal, there is a lot of money for the states.
“The President even stated this during his visit to Benue at the height of the killing of our people in Yelewata, where he said that no state would say it doesn’t have money to pay salary,” he said.
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Ortom also praised Tinubu’s tax reforms and overall economic direction.
“Also, the tax reform is a good step, and the ongoing reforms will help our economy to grow. Tinubu is not partisan, his dream is to make the country grow,” he added.
In contrast, Ortom criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of mismanaging the country’s affairs.
He revealed that under Buhari’s government, he was denied a N75 billion grant meant to clear salaries, gratuities, and fund infrastructure in Benue State.
According to him, the past administration took the country from top to bottom, adding that his refusal to abandon his people during attacks contributed to his fallout with the Buhari-led government.
Clarifying his political position, Ortom, who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), distanced himself from the emerging political coalition involving Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
“I remain a member and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party. I am even a BoT member of my party and I don’t believe in coalition, but where there’s a need for strategic partnership, you will see me there,” he said.