Nigerian Concord Newspaper
A member of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party who is also the overall leader of the party in Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, PhD has vowed that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the State will not make the mistakes it made in the 2023 general elections in 2027.
Dr Ortom, the immediate past governor of Benue State stated this Friday, October 3, 2025 at the inauguration of Lobi/Gwer (MINDA) PDP Elders Forum held in Makurdi.
MINDA comprises of Makurdi, Guma, Gwer East and Gwer West local government areas of the state.
“Whatever mistake we made in 2023 will be corrected in 2027. We will not allow any mistake again in the next general elections,” he vowed.
According to the former Governor, “going forward, I won’t force anyone on the people in the contest for any elective positions”
He emphasised that “anyone aspiring for any position will test his popularity with his people. It is the collective decision of the people that will determine who should represent them,” stressing that he’s ready to work with other leaders of the party to guide all the processes in emergency of candidates.
He said that he is standing firm in the party now to groom the new political leadership that will take over and as such, he’s ready to encourage free participation for all.
Ortom also admonished the new leadership of Lobi/Gwer (MINDA) PDP Elders Forum to remain steadfast and work together as a team and build unity among themselves and for the sake of the party and well being of the people of the state.
Ortom assured the PDP leaders that he has remained committed to the electoral successes of the party, insisting that all members of the party should wake up from sleep as according to him, “we have slept for too long. Let’s stand up and join hands together and build our party.”
He regretted that even after his administration successfully outlawed thuggery in the politics of Benue, he’s saddened that it has been reintroduced but expressed confidence that it will be eliminated completely when the PDP regains power in 2027.
Earlier in his welcome address, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Lobo/Gwer (MINDA) PDP Elders Forum, Hon Charles Torbunde, commended former Governor Ortom for his continued support for the growth of the party in the state and Nigeria.
He said Ortom’s leadership is exemplary and maintained that members of the party from the four local government areas that make up Lobi/Gwer will always stand by him and at all times.
Torbunde also applauded the resilience of party members from MINDA, saying that despite the challenges faced by the party, they have remained committed.
In their separate remarks, Senator Fred Orti, Chief Godwin Uwua who spoke for Ihyarev, Elder Kwaghzua Watsav, (Masev) and Elder Ayoosu Bem (Nongov) all commended Chief Ortom for his commitment to the party and pledged their continued dedication to ensure that PDP is returned to power in 2027.
Those elected to lead the PDP Lobi/Gwer (MINDA) Elders Forum are Hon Charles Torbunde, Chairman; Elder Peter Igba, Deputy Chairman; Elder John Orkaa, Secretary, Hon Jerome Uyina, Treasurer, Dr Mark Achaku, Public Relations Officer while Elder Emmanuel Tarhemba will serve as the Organising Secretary.