Ortom justifies decision to work against Atiku in 2023

Ortom added that he engaged in anti-party activities during the presidential election because he’s not a “hypocrite”.

By Kehinde Okeowo

Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has rationalized his decision to work against the presidential candidate of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, saying he did so to ensure “fairness”. 

He disclosed this on Thursday while fielding questions on Arise Television programme, Morning Show .

Ortom and four other PDP governors, known as the G-5, worked against their party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election.

While justifying his action, the former governor said he engaged in anti-party activities because he is not a “hypocrite”,  adding that he took the decision at the risk of his own senatorial ambition.

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He further stated that he believed for equity, fairness and justice to prevail, PDP must allow presidency to go the south.

Speaking during the interview, Ortom said: “When members of the PDP overwhelmingly accepted that the presidency should be in the north, we say no, it was wrong, because everyone knows here for equity, fairness and justice, we should allow presidency in the North for eight years, and the south should go for eight years.

“I’ve already made my position known. I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t want to pretend. And I made it very clear that was why I worked against the PDP in 2023 election. And I did say that even if I lose my senatorial election, After some eight years as governor, it doesn’t matter. But let it be known that there are people who believe in justice, equity and fairness.”