I have no regrets opposing Atiku in 2023 — Ortom

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that he has no regrets about working against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election, despite Atiku being the candidate of his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ortom was part of the G5 group of PDP governors who rejected Atiku’s candidacy and supported Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead.

Ortom, who doesn’t see his actions as a betrayal, added that he prioritized the interests of his people over party loyalty.

“Which betrayal? Pursuing my interest and the interest of my people?” he queried.

Mr. Ortom believes in the rotation of power between the North and South, citing an “unwritten constitution” that suggests the North and South should alternate presidency every eight years.

He argued that allowing another northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari would be unfair.

Ortom expressed skepticism about the opposition coalition floated on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by top Benue politicians like David Mark and Gabriel Suswam.

“I don’t see it surviving,” he said, predicting the coalition would be defeated in 2027.

Ortom affirmed his commitment to the PDP, stating: “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 emphasized his role as the PDP leader in Benue State and a member of the Board of Trustees.

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