Ex-Benue Governor Rejects Alleged Atiku Alliance, Says His Position Has Not Changed
By Yahaya Idris
Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has reaffirmed his support for a Southern presidency in 2027, while declaring that he remains aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ortom made his position known through a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Zege Paul Terhide, on Monday, August 10, 2026, following a report allegedly attributed to a group known as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN).
https://globaltimesnigeria.com/2026/08/09/aondoakaa-atiku-ortom-akume-deal-report/
The report purportedly alleged that the former governor was involved in an arrangement to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.
However, Ortom dismissed the allegation as false and inconsistent with his long-standing position on equity, justice and power rotation.
‘My Position Has Not Changed’
According to the statement, Ortom maintained that his position on the presidency had remained unchanged since the 2023 general elections, when he and four other PDP governors, popularly known as the G-5, advocated for power to shift to Southern Nigeria after eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The former governor said the position was based on equity, fairness, national inclusion and the need to strengthen national cohesion.
He argued that having supported the emergence of a Southern president after eight years of Northern leadership, it would be contradictory for him to advocate the return of the presidency to the North only four years later.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Samuel Ortom believes that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027,” the statement said.
Ortom Reaffirms Support for Tinubu
The former governor also recalled his public declaration of support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election during an engagement in Port Harcourt in 2024.
According to the statement, Ortom believes Tinubu should be supported to consolidate his economic reforms and other development initiatives.
It therefore described reports linking him to an alleged political arrangement with Atiku as contrary to his publicly stated position.
‘I Remain Firmly Aligned With Wike’
Ortom also reaffirmed his political alignment with Wike, saying both men, alongside other members of the G-5, stood together in 2023 in defence of equity and justice within the PDP.
He said there had been no development warranting speculation that he had abandoned that position to work with Atiku.
The statement further described meetings between Ortom and other prominent Benue figures as consultations aimed at building strategic alliances for the interest of the state.
Ortom Backs Akume, Aondoakaa
The former governor also expressed support for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, describing him as the leader of politics in Benue State whose national position deserves the support of the state’s people.
The statement noted that Akume’s appointment as SGF marked the first time a Benue indigene had occupied what it described as a highly influential position.
Ortom was also quoted as reaffirming support for Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 election.
He described Aondoakaa as possessing the experience, competence and capacity required to lead the state.
The former governor said Aondoakaa could effectively utilise increased resources accruing to Benue following the removal of fuel subsidy to address developmental challenges and stimulate economic growth.
Ortom Warns Against ‘Political Fabrication’
The former governor urged members of the public to disregard the alleged ICTN report, describing it as an attempt by political elements to manufacture divisions and create political relationships where none exist.
“Chief Ortom remains committed to the principles of equity, justice and fairness which informed the historic position of the G-5 Governors,” the statement added.