Samuel Ortom Explains Why He Backed Tinubu Over Peter Obi for 2027

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has explained his decision to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, despite backing Peter Obi in the 2023 poll.

Ortom said his support for Tinubu was a deliberate political choice and confirmed that he has no regrets about the decision. He spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.

The former governor said he publicly declared his support for Tinubu after his former G5 colleague, Nyesom Wike, was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. According to Ortom, his position has remained unchanged since then.

“I made a statement, and I have no regret making that statement, that in 2027 some of us will support Tinubu to win,” Ortom said.

He recalled that he backed Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, during the 2023 presidential election. However, following Tinubu’s victory, Ortom said he decided to align himself with the president.

“In 2023, I supported Obi. When Nigerians spoke, and President Tinubu was president, I said, ‘If you can’t beat them, you join them,’” he said.

Ortom was one of the five governors who formed the G5 within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 election. The group, which included Wike, openly opposed the party’s presidential campaign structure at the time.

His latest declaration places him firmly in Tinubu’s camp ahead of the 2027 election and marks a clear shift from his position during the last presidential contest.

The former governor’s comments come amid growing political realignments across Nigeria as politicians and political groups position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential race.