Samuel Ortom insists he has no regrets supporting Tinubu over Atiku in 2023, calling it a matter of public interest and democratic fairness
Samuel Ortom has said he stands by his decision to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, insisting it was in the best interest of his people.
Also read: Samuel Ortom Defends Atiku Rejection in 2023, Says no Regrets
The former Benue State Governor made this known during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme aired by Channels Television.
He denied betraying his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, despite backing a candidate from a rival platform.
“I did not hide it. I have no regret,” Samuel Ortom said.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I have somebody working against my interest and the interest of my people, I have to fight back.”
Samuel Ortom was part of the PDP’s G5 group, which refused to support Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy.
The group called for the presidency to shift to the South after eight years of northern rule.
He described his choice as one driven by fairness and a commitment to balancing power between Nigeria’s regions.
“We were preaching equity, fairness and justice,” Samuel Ortom said. “Our democracy has not gotten to that level where one region dominates for too long.”
According to him, support for a southern candidate was not betrayal but a principled stand. He questioned how the presidency could stay in the same region after two full terms.
The former governor also rejected reports linking him to the opposition coalition forming around the African Democratic Congress.
He clarified that he remains in the PDP and has no interest in joining any new group.
“I am the leader of PDP in Benue State and a member of the BoT,” Samuel Ortom said.
“People are free to join any coalition that they so wish, but for me and the people that I lead, we remain in PDP.”
He criticised the coalition’s prospects, saying it lacked structure and would not succeed in unseating the ruling party.
Also read: Top North-Central Politician: Samuel Ortom
Samuel Ortom’s remarks have stirred responses across party lines, but he continues to defend his stance as one based on democratic principles and regional equity.
