Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, PhD has restated his supports for a president from the Southern part of the country in 2027 for equity to prevail.
Recall that Chief Ortom had once said that he would be backing President Bola Tinubu in 2027 as a result of his achievements and efforts to take Nigeria to a greater height.
Speaking today at his Makurdi residence during his first press briefing since he left office in 2023, the former Benue State governor said that his position remains unchanged on a Southern president.
According to him, the North enjoyed eight uninterrupted years of presidency, and it is only in line with democratic principles that the South should have its turn for eight years. He added that come 2031, the North-Central zone has a strong case to bargain for the presidency.
Also, he stated that as a former governor and someone who has been privileged to occupy numerous leadership positions at the local government, state and national levels, he is well-acquainted with the challenges that come with leadership. As such, he expressed his prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and others in leadership positions, wishing them success for the overall benefit of the state and Nigeria at large.
Regarding whether there are still crises within his party, the PDP, Chief Ortom said that all lingering disputes have been amicably resolved. He added that the party is currently well-positioned to conduct its forthcoming national convention and to prepare for the 2027 elections.
On the issue of coalition, the former governor maintained that the PDP is not currently in any coalition with any political party. “To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing like a coalition, and my party is not in any coalition with any political party, we can however, engage in strategic partnerships,” he stated.
Speaking on his stewardship, Chief Ortom highlighted that despite economic challenges, including two recessions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and fluctuating oil prices, he constructed and executed over 1,000 primary school projects in Benue. He also paid for full accreditation of the Benue State University College of Health Sciences, built quality roads in Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo, and other parts of the state. Additionally, his administration constructed the Tor Tiv and O’Chi Idoma palaces, as well as the BIPC Fountain Estate, Nyorgyungu, the BENGIS building, and other infrastructural projects.
Addressing issues surrounding salary payments, Chief Ortom clarified that his administration inherited seven months of unpaid salaries. However, he stated that when he left office, the state had five months’ salary arrears. “It is not fair to say I didn’t pay salaries at all. I was governor of Benue for 96 months; I paid 91 months and owed five months,” he explained. The former governor also noted that during the administration of former President Buhari, 28 states in Nigeria faced difficulties paying salaries due to the prevailing economic conditions.
On the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, Chief Ortom said that if anyone believes there is a better solution to the farmer-herder crisis, they should come forward with it. He maintained that he has no regrets signing and enforcing that law. He added that over 400 herdsmen who violated the Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law were prosecuted during his tenure as governor.