Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has reiterated his backing for Nigeria’s presidency to remain in the South beyond 2027, insisting the region must be allowed to complete its constitutionally expected eight-year term.
Ortom made the statement during a media parley in Makurdi on Thursday, emphasizing that even if his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fields a presidential candidate in the next election, that candidate must come from the South.
“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in southern presidency. Even if my party is presenting a candidate in 2027, it must be someone from the South,” he said. “The South should be allowed to complete eight years. So for me, I will not support any northern candidate.”
A member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, Ortom also praised some policy reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the areas of governance and the economy.
He noted that Tinubu has taken commendable steps to uphold the rule of law and address longstanding issues in the oil sector.
“The Tinubu administration is doing well. The removal of fuel subsidy has reduced the looting in the oil industry and increased revenue for states.
There is now money in the system,” Ortom said.
He recalled that during the president’s visit to Benue, Tinubu emphasized that no state could claim inability to pay salaries due to improved federal allocations.
Ortom further applauded ongoing tax reforms, describing them as necessary steps for the nation’s economic development.
However, the former governor was critical of the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of severely damaging the country’s progress.
“Buhari’s administration took Nigeria from top to bottom,” he said.
Addressing recent political developments, Ortom distanced himself from any new political coalition, affirming his loyalty to the PDP.
“I remain a committed member and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party. I am on the party’s Board of Trustees.
I don’t believe in any coalition for now, but if there’s a need for strategic partnerships, I will be involved,” he added.
