No Regrets: Ortom Defends Move Against Atiku, Stands by 2023 Election Stance

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has reaffirmed that he has no regrets for opposing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a political affairs programme broadcast on Channels Television, Ortom was unapologetic about his stance and made it clear that his actions were guided by the interests of his constituents.

Ortom, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was part of the G5 group—comprising five PDP governors—who publicly rejected Atiku’s presidential candidacy and instead supported Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dismissing accusations of betrayal, the former governor argued that his political decisions were based on principle, not party loyalty.

“Which betrayal? Pursuing my interest and the interest of my people? That is what politics is about,” he said. “Politics is a game of interest. If someone is working against mine or that of my people, I have to resist it.”

He also questioned the idea of power remaining in the North, stating it was unreasonable for another northerner to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari, who had just completed eight years in office.

Addressing recent developments in the opposition landscape, Ortom distanced himself from a newly announced coalition formed under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has attracted prominent figures such as David Mark and Gabriel Suswam. He described the alliance as unsustainable and made it clear that he remains committed to the PDP.

Ortom emphasized that, despite current disagreements within the party, he has no intention of leaving. “I’m the leader of the PDP in Benue State and a member of the Board of Trustees. For me and those I lead, we are staying in PDP,” he affirmed.

His comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, as multiple stakeholders reassess affiliations and power blocs within the opposition space.