The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said the Peoples Democratic Party is open to a strategic partnership with other political parties ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
He spoke on Sunday in Makurdi while hosting over 1,300 appointees who served under his administration at his Judges’ Quarters residence.
The former governor said politics was about inclusiveness and interests, adding that the aim of any partnership would be to unite forces against a common opponent.
Ortom, who won the governorship under two different party platforms — the All Progressives Congress in 2015 and the PDP in 2019 — said such an alliance was achievable in Benue State.
He said, “Strategic partnership is about looking unto God and allowing Him to decide who leads us in whatever position. We want to see how we can come together and confront a common front. Politics is about inclusiveness and interest. At the end, we will sit together and see what to do. I’m the only one who won the election as governor under 2 parties, APC and PDP.
“I am not leaving PDP, but we can do strategic partnership. I’m not going to contest any election in 2027, but I have followers, so I want them to achieve their aspirations.
“I urge you to be strong, do not worry about what is happening in APC, it is God’s design. PDP will not die but move from strength to strength. We won’t be hostile. We do not need a chaotic situation to take over governance of the State. Nobody will be allowed to rig the election in 2027. Let the law be respected and obeyed. Let us stop running down our leaders on social media platforms.
“George Akume is the leader of Benue politics, and I have accepted a give-and-take arrangement. What is happening in Benue State is not right.”
Reflecting on the 2023 governorship election, Ortom admitted that he made a mistake by imposing the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba, as the PDP candidate.
Uba, who flew the party’s flag in the 2023 election, had earlier accused the PDP of abandoning him during a period of ill-health.
Ortom said, “In 2023, the mistake I made was to impose a governorship candidate on the party. 18 members of the assembly asked me to give the then speaker Titus Uba without consulting God. I apologise to those who emerged ahead of him, including Paul Angya, Terkaa Ucha and Dennis Tyavyar, during the mock primary.
“I pleaded for him to be accepted. God brought another sign, his ill-health; we spent over 300 million naira on him. I lost the election for Senator in 2023. I never wanted to contest, but preferred my wife to. God never told me to contest for Senator, that is why I did not go to court after the loss. Next time, I will consult God before contesting.”
He also faulted the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, warning that such actions could be challenged in court.
“This is wrong, and we will go to court because the law prohibits them from partisan politics. They should embrace all the political parties and their aspirants,” he stated.
Leave a comment