Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has declared his firm opposition to any presidential candidate from Northern Nigeria in the 2027 general elections, vowing to support a Southern contender regardless of party affiliation.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Ortom stressed the need to uphold the unwritten power rotation agreement between the North and South, which allots eight years of leadership to each region.
“The unwritten agreement is clear — eight years for the North, eight years for the South,” Ortom stated. “As far as I’m concerned, the South has not completed its turn. I supported a Southern candidate in 2023, and I will do the same in 2027. Even if it means going against my own party, I will not support a northern candidate.”
Ortom, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said his position stems from a commitment to fairness and national unity.
He added that he would support any credible Southern candidate, whether from the PDP, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), or any other party, provided they have the capacity to transform the country.
Commenting on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Ortom urged Nigerians to offer their support, acknowledging the president’s efforts amid the country’s economic and social challenges.
“In the land of the blind, a one-eyed man is king. Right now, we have a president who is doing his best under difficult circumstances,” Ortom said. “He listens even to common people like us. He is driving reforms—on fuel subsidy, tax restructuring, and more.”
While praising Tinubu’s leadership style and accessibility, Ortom emphasized that the nation’s future should not be politicized but anchored on fairness and competence.
“This is not about party. It’s about the uncommon good,” he concluded.
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