Ortom Explains Why He Opposed Atiku, PDP in 2023 Elections

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has revealed the reasons behind his decision to work against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the last general elections. Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Ortom said his opposition to the PDP was based on what he described as the party’s failure to uphold the principles of equity, fairness, and justice. He disclosed that he was a member of a 20-person committee tasked with recommending a suitable running mate for Atiku. According to him, 15 out of 17 members present endorsed the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, but the party leadership ignored the recommendation and selected Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Governor of Delta State. Ortom expressed disappointment over the decision, describing it as a disregard for the collective will of party stakeholders and a major factor in the party’s internal crisis ahead of the 2023 elections. He said his stance was in alignment with the G5 Governors, a group of five PDP governors who openly distanced themselves from Atiku’s campaign over the party’s refusal to respect zoning arrangements and internal agreements. The group comprised Ortom, Wike, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu. Ortom stated that the presidency should have shifted to the South after eight years of northern leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari. He said the decision to oppose Atiku and the PDP was not borne out of malice, but out of a commitment to defend the ideals the party once stood for. He further noted that the party’s refusal to follow due process and its insensitivity to the concerns of its southern members significantly undermined its chances in the election. Ortom maintained that history would vindicate the G5 governors for standing on the side of justice and equity, even at personal and political cost. The former governor added that future success of the PDP would depend on its willingness to embrace internal reforms, fairness, and true inclusiveness.