Samuel Otom, former governor of Benue state, says he will support President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
While speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, aired on Wednesday, Ortom said he would back Michael Aondoakaa, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue.
Ortom, alongside four other governors in 2022, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, formed what was known as G-5 within the PDP ahead of the 2023 elections.
Members of the G-5 were believed to have worked against Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in 2023.
Speaking on Politics Today, the former Benue governor said his support for Tinubu dates back to 2023, when the president appointed Wike as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ortom said he declared his support for Tinubu during the FCT minister’s reception in Port Harcourt.
“In 2023, when President Bola Tinubu made Wike minister of the FCT, in his reception in Port Harcourt, even before Wike or any other member of the G5, I came out and said that we will support Tinubu because we know his antecedents,” he said.
“And he can bring reforms that will transform this country and turn things around for the best interest of our country, Nigeria.
“In 2023, I have not changed. I am still the same Samuel Otom, and I am saying that I am supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president.
“But when it comes to governorship, because of the abysmal performance of the current governor, whose antecedent is based on deceit, lies and does not want the rule of law to prevail in Benue state, I am saying that for Benue state, the governor and other elections, I support PDP members.”
Ortom said Aondoakaa is not merely his choice but the PDP candidate in the state.
On Tuesday, he accused Hyacinth Alia, his successor, of running Benue state on “lies, deceit and hypocrisy”.
He alleged that Alia has failed to effectively transform the state despite increased federal allocations following the removal of the petrol subsidy
The former governor of Benue noted that his support for Tinubu is based on the president’s performance and the reforms introduced by his administration.
Ortom cited the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the reforms he supports.
“What does it matter if that will give us results? Have you not seen the performance of the president?” he asked.
“Have you not seen the performance of the president? If he’s doing well, why can’t we support him?
“The reforms that Mr President has put in place – today they are transforming the country.”
“Petrol subsidy removal: this is something that for years, leaders in this country have attempted to remove. Mr President came, and the first day in office, he removed it.”
