Have You Not Seen Tinubu’s Performance?’ — Ortom Challenges Nigerians To Support Him

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, citing the administration’s reforms and what he described as its performance.

According to Ireporter Online, Ortom made the statement on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he explained why he believes Nigerians should support the President.

The former governor specifically pointed to the removal of the petrol subsidy, noting that successive administrations had attempted to end the policy without success before Tinubu announced its removal on his first day in office.

Ortom argued that the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration were transforming the country and should be assessed based on their outcomes.

“What does it matter if that will give us results? Have you not seen the performance of the President? If he’s doing well, why can’t we support him?” Ortom said.

He maintained that his support for Tinubu was not a recent decision, recalling that he backed the President in 2023 following the appointment of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ortom said he publicly expressed his support for Tinubu during Wike’s reception in Port Harcourt, even before other members of the then-G5 governors had taken a position.

According to him, his decision was influenced by Tinubu’s political record and his belief that the President could introduce reforms capable of improving Nigeria’s fortunes.

“In 2023, I have not changed. I am still the same Samuel Ortom, and I am saying that I am supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President,” he said.

However, Ortom drew a distinction between his position at the federal level and his preference in the Benue governorship election.

The former governor said he would support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, while criticising the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Ortom accused the current state government of poor performance and alleged that it had undermined the rule of law.

He said his support for PDP candidates in the state was based on what he described as the poor performance of the incumbent administration, adding that he believed the people of Benue deserved a different direction.

“For Benue State, the governor and other elections, I support PDP members,” Ortom said.