‘I Don’t Regret Expressing My Support for Tinubu,’ Ortom Says

Samuel Ortom has no regrets about supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, even though the former Benue governor backed Peter Obi in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE News, Ortom said his support for Tinubu followed the mandate Nigerians gave the former Lagos governor in 2023. He said he publicly declared his position after his former G5 colleague, Nyesom Wike, became Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“I made a statement, and I have no regret making that statement, that 2027 some of us will support Tinubu to win,” Ortom said. He described the decision as a response to the election result, adding: “In 2023, I supported Obi. When Nigerians spoke and President Tinubu was president, I said, ‘If you can’t beat them, you join them.’”

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I made a statement, and I have no regret making that statement, that 2027 some of us will support Tinubu to win

Ortom said he remained committed to working with Wike and his supporters in Benue to secure Tinubu’s re-election. He also said he would support his preferred candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

On the 2027 Benue governorship race, Ortom criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. He accused it of failing to uphold the rule of law and targeting political opponents, and alleged that local-government autonomy was not being implemented. He also claimed no cross-party stakeholders’ meeting had been held since Alia took office and said the governor had not returned 23 government vehicles despite a court judgment ordering their return.

Ortom said he had tried to maintain a relationship with Alia after the 2023 election by offering advice and help, but claimed the governor did not take his calls or offer an opportunity for further engagement. He said the 2027 election would allow Benue voters to judge the administration.

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If you can’t beat them, you join them.