The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has criticised former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom over his betrayal of the party in the 2023 general election.
The party tackled Ortom, accusing him and the G5 governors of acting out of personal interest rather than genuine concern for fairness and equity in the 2023 elections.
A member of the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, who spoke to Vanguard, Ortom’s motives and role in forming the G5 group, suggesting his opposition may have been more political than principled.
Ortom revealed Friday why he and other members of the G5 Governors’ Forum opposed the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 elections.
Ortom, a key member of the G5 group of PDP governors, stated that the party’s failure to uphold equality, fairness, and justice is why they opted to oppose it.
Speaking on Arise TV yesterday, Ortom stated that the G5 had asked that the presidency shift to the South after eight years of Northern hegemony under President Muhammadu Buhari, but the PDP’s decision to field Atiku, who is also a Northerner, violated that principle.
“I acted as I did because we had expected the PDP to uphold equity, fairness, and justice, values I hold dear.
“When the majority of PDP members supported a Northern candidate, we deemed it unjust. We’ve always stood for equity, fairness, and justice, and we felt the presidency should alternate between the North and South for eight years each,” he said.
As head of the PDP’s zoning committee, Ortom stated that, while the committee recommended an open contest, he personally advocated for a Southern candidate.
He emphasised that the party’s National Executive Committee, or NEC, made the final decision, which resulted in Atiku’s candidature.
“I presented the committee’s report as it was, and the NEC made the final call. I couldn’t override the collective decision,” Ortom explained.
Reacting to Ortom’s remark, the party chieftain noted that Ortom and the then PDP Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, are from the same local government area and ethnic group.
The NWC member said, “If Ortom is talking about fairness, he should remember that both he and Ayu come from the same place. He was the one who recommended Ayu for the chairmanship. There was no disagreement until Atiku emerged as the party’s candidate.
“Now that the PDP is planning to zone the presidential ticket to the South in 2027, will Ortom support the party? Will he go back on his endorsement of Tinubu and work for the PDP?
“Politics is about teamwork. One person’s opinion should not override the decisions of the majority. If you want to play solo, then start your party.”
The PDP urged Ortom and others to put aside personal ambitions and support the party’s rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
