The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has opened up about his decision to oppose the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general elections, attributing his stance to the party’s alleged failure to embrace the core values of justice, equity, and fairness.
In an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, Ortom, who still identifies as a PDP member, said he could not support the party’s presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, citing a breach of internal trust and neglect of agreed principles.
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“I went against the PDP in the last election simply because I believed the party would stand for equity, fairness, and justice — principles they unfortunately did not uphold,” Ortom said.
He recounted his role on a 20-member committee set up to advise Atiku on a suitable running mate.
According to Ortom, the majority of the committee—16 members including himself—endorsed then Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, but their input was ultimately dismissed.
“Somehow, the candidate and those in leadership positions within the party decided to work against him,” he added.
Ortom, a key figure in the G5 group—an alliance of five PDP governors who opposed Atiku’s bid—clarified that their position was largely motivated by the demand for the presidency to rotate to the southern part of the country.
“While the G5 agenda was also about interests, our original goal was to have a southern candidate, and I’m glad that a southern candidate ultimately emerged as President,” he stated.
His remarks come as the PDP continues to grapple with internal tensions and calls for reform, particularly in the wake of its loss in the 2023 presidential election.
 during the 2023 general elections, attributing his stance to the party’s alleged failure to embrace the core values of justice, equity, and fairness){kind=link}