Former Governor of Benue State and PDP chieftain, Samuel Ortom, has reaffirmed his stance in support of a Southern Presidency in the upcoming 2027 general elections, stating that the South must be allowed to complete its constitutionally expected eight-year tenure before power returns to the North.
Speaking during a media parley on Thursday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Ortom emphasized that even if his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fields a candidate in 2027, the candidate must emerge from the South.
“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in southern presidency. Even if my party is producing a candidate for presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years,” he said.
“So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate.”
Praises Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Although a PDP stalwart and member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Ortom commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for some of his ongoing economic and structural reforms.
He particularly applauded the President’s stance on the rule of law, the removal of oil subsidies, and fiscal federalism, noting that these are positively impacting states’ revenue allocation.
“Tinubu administration is doing well; he is ensuring that the rule of law prevails, and this is good for our country,” Ortom noted.
“The oil industry had been a place where a few cliques siphoned our common wealth, but with the removal of subsidies, there is a lot of money in all the states.”
Criticism of Buhari’s Administration
Ortom also took a swipe at former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing his administration of dragging Nigeria’s economy and governance “from top to bottom.” He reiterated that he is not part of the newly formed political coalition aiming to challenge the APC government in 2027.
Commends Tax Reforms
He went further to commend the ongoing tax reforms being implemented under the current administration, describing them as bold and necessary moves to reposition Nigeria’s economy for long-term growth.
