Why I Opposed Atiku in 2023 – Former Benue Governor Ortom

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has explained why he chose to oppose the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 general elections—even at the cost of his own senatorial ambition.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Ortom said his decision was driven by a commitment to equity, fairness, and justice. He maintained that after eight years of the presidency being held by the North, it was only right for power to return to the South.

“I’ve already made my position known. I don’t want to be a hypocrite or pretend,” Ortom said. “It was clear to me that after eight years of northern presidency, the South deserved a chance.”

He criticized the PDP’s decision to field another northern candidate, arguing that it went against the principles of balanced power rotation in the country.

“When members of the PDP overwhelmingly accepted that the presidency should remain in the North, we said no—it was wrong,” he added. “For the sake of justice and fairness, the South should have had its turn.”

Ortom acknowledged that his stance may have cost him his bid for the Senate, but said he had no regrets.

“I said it then, and I repeat it now: even if I lost my senatorial election, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I stood for justice and equity,” he concluded.