The complex web of Nigerian partisan politics has once again thrown up a fascinating paradox, as former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, explicitly clarified his political alignment ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections. In a detailed and revealing interview on Channels Television’s flagship current affairs programme, Politics Today, Ortom laid bare his strategic calculations. The two-term former governor firmly dismissed any speculation about defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his deep-seated political and administrative grievances with the incumbent governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.
However, in a move that underscores the increasingly transactional and performance-based nature of modern Nigerian political realignments, Ortom made a sharp distinction between state and federal politics. While remaining a staunch member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and maintaining his backing for the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Titus Uba, Ortom unabashedly declared his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. According to the former governor, his choices are driven strictly by the demonstrable performance and administrative antecedents of individual leaders rather than the rigid, often blinding loyalties of party affiliation.
This balancing act highlights a broader, evolving trend within the Nigerian political landscape where cross-party endorsements are becoming more commonplace. Ortom’s public stance presents a fascinating study in political pragmatism, raising critical questions about party discipline, coalition-building, and governance metrics in Africa’s most populous democracy.
The Rationale Behind the Cross-Party Alliance
Delving deeper into his political philosophy during the television broadcast, Ortom argued that modern democratic governance must transcend the narrow confines of party tags. For the former governor, leadership effectiveness remains the ultimate litmus test.
“If I join APC now, you want me to work for Governor Alia? I will not do it. But the President is doing well. This is the difference of what some of you believe,” Ortom stated bluntly.
He reiterated his allegiance to the PDP, acknowledging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as his national political leader. Wike, a high-profile PDP governor who currently serves in President Tinubu’s cabinet, has similarly walked a tightrope of cross-party alignment, maintaining his PDP membership while serving as a foundational pillar in the APC-led federal government. Ortom noted that he harbors zero regrets about throwing his weight behind Tinubu during the fiercely contested 2023 presidential race.
Recalling the genesis of his support, Ortom pointed to the period immediately following the 2023 elections. When President Tinubu appointed Wike as the FCT Minister, Ortom was among the earliest prominent opposition figures—even ahead of some members of the famous G-5 governors—to publicly endorse the incoming federal administration. He reasoned then, as he does now, that Tinubu possessed the requisite political pedigree and administrative courage to implement sweeping reforms capable of pulling Nigeria out of its economic doldrums.
“I have not changed. I’m seeing the same Samuel Ortom and I’m saying that I’m supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president. But when it comes to governorship, because of the dismal performance of the current governor, I support PDP members,” he emphasized.
Economic Reforms and Federal Infrastructure in Benue
To justify his continued backing of the Tinubu administration, Ortom pointed to several high-profile infrastructural initiatives and macroeconomic policies championed by the federal government. Despite the initial hardship brought about by the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the foreign exchange rate—policies that drew widespread criticism from various quarters—the former governor insisted that the long-term gains outweigh the short-term pains.
Furthermore, Ortom highlighted specific federal government projects currently ongoing or recently executed in Benue State as tangible evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region. He specifically referenced the strategic Abuja-Makurdi-9th Mile road corridor, the construction of a major flyover in the Benue State capital of Makurdi, and the critical bridge connecting Buruku and Gboko. These infrastructure projects, he argued, are vital arteries that stimulate local commerce and integrate the state more effectively into the national economy.
“Today, in Nigeria, we’re having different reforms, reforms in security, reforms in several aspects of life in this country, and we are already seeing the result that they are positive,” Ortom asserted, projecting an optimistic outlook on the nation’s trajectory under the current federal leadership.
Administrative Friction and the Battle Over Benue’s Finances
While Ortom showers praise on the federal government, his assessment of the state-level administration led by Governor Hyacinth Alia is scathing. The crux of Ortom’s refusal to join the APC lies in his profound dissatisfaction with Governor Alia’s handling of the state’s public finance, specifically regarding the clearance of workers’ salaries, pensions, and gratuities.
During his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023, Ortom’s administration frequently battled labor unions over delayed salary payments, a challenge he openly admitted to inheriting from his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam. Ortom frequently blamed these fiscal constraints on the severe economic recessions Nigeria experienced during his terms, alongside the devastating impact of recurrent farmer-herder clashes that severely disrupted agricultural productivity and internally generated revenue (IGR) in the food-basket state.
However, Ortom argued that the economic reality of the current administration is vastly different. With the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate unification, federal allocations (FAAC) accruing to the federal, state, and local governments have more than doubled compared to what was obtainable during his administration. Given this exponential increase in financial inflows, Ortom contended that Governor Alia has no justifiable excuse for allegedly lagging behind in the prompt payment of state liabilities.
“When I assumed office in 2015, I inherited arrears of salaries, pensions, and gratuities. But the situation should have improved remarkably under the present administration because of increased federal allocations,” Ortom argued. He claimed that Benue remains an outlier among states that have substantially utilized increased federal windfalls to clear backlog payments, demanding greater fiscal transparency and accountability from the incumbent state government.
Condemnation of the Peter Obi Incident and Security Concerns
Beyond fiscal and partisan politics, Ortom addressed a troubling security and political incident involving the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Obi’s recent scheduled visit to Benue State to commiserate with victims of violent attacks in rural communities was abruptly disrupted, sparking national outrage.
Ortom did not mince words in condemning the disruption, maintaining that freedom of movement and the right to express solidarity with victims of violence are fundamental rights that must be protected in a democratic society. He noted that Obi’s mission was strictly humanitarian—to visit displaced persons and offer solace to families grieving the loss of loved ones—and frustrating such a visit was an indictment of the state’s security management.
“I condemn what happened yesterday. It is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue and sympathise with those people whose people were killed. That is what he came here to do,” Ortom declared.
In a controversial twist, the former governor alleged that the state government under Governor Alia was complicit in the orchestration of the disruption, despite official denials issued by the Benue State Government. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that multiple arrests had been made in connection with the unrest.
Reacting to the police intervention, Ortom urged law enforcement agencies to execute a transparent, comprehensive investigation to bring the actual perpetrators and sponsors to justice. He warned against perverting the course of justice through the arbitrary arrest of innocent bystanders, emphasizing that institutional failure in delivering justice often pushes citizens toward dangerous self-help measures.
Fact-Based Analysis of Implications for 2027
Ortom’s calculated political posturing offers a fascinating window into the shifting alliances shaping Nigeria’s political future as the country marches toward the 2027 general elections. By detaching presidential endorsement from governorship preferences, Ortom is attempting to carve out a pragmatic niche that insulates him from local political liabilities while keeping a foot in the federal power corridor.
- Weakening of Strict Party Lines: This development illustrates how personal political survival and regional governance grievances frequently override party discipline in Nigeria. Politicians are increasingly comfortable adopting a "mix-and-match" approach to endorsements, prioritizing transactional alliances over ideological purity.
- Implications for the APC in Benue: Ortom’s vehement refusal to work with Governor Alia underscores deep-seated internal friction within the Benue political ecosystem. For the APC to successfully consolidate its grip on the state, it must first navigate and resolve these intense intra-party and inter-party feuds.
- The Wike Factor and the G-5 Legacy: Ortom’s reaffirmation of his loyalty to Nyesom Wike highlights the enduring influence of the G-5 configuration. As political realignments crystallize ahead of 2027, the political bloc led by Wike continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between key elements of the opposition and the ruling federal administration.
Ultimately, Samuel Ortom’s latest intervention serves as a reminder that Nigerian politics is intensely fluid. As he aptly summarized his governance philosophy, “Politics should be about leadership. And leadership should be about delivering basic dividends of democracy.” Whether this pragmatic approach will sway voters in Benue State come 2027 remains a subject of intense speculation as the political actors continue their high-stakes chess match.
