By Erewunmi Peace

Former Benue State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Samuel Ortom, has thrown his weight behind the call for power rotation to the South in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership style and governance reforms.

Speaking during a media interaction in Makurdi, Ortom maintained that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year term, as part of the unwritten North-South power-sharing principle aimed at sustaining national unity.

“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in the southern presidency. Even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for the presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years,” he said.

Commends Tinubu’s Reform Agenda

Ortom used the opportunity to commend President Tinubu’s administration for tackling deep-rooted national issues, particularly economic restructuring and institutional reforms.

“Tinubu’s administration is doing well. He is ensuring that the rule of law prevails, which is a positive development for our country,” he said.

He also praised the removal of fuel subsidies, noting that it has freed up more resources for states to invest in infrastructure and public services.

“The oil industry used to be a place where a few cliques siphoned our commonwealth. With the subsidy gone, states now have more money to work with,” Ortom noted.

National Unity First

While still a member of the PDP, Ortom’s remarks signal a call for cross-party unity in preserving national balance and fairness.

“If we are to build a united and prosperous Nigeria, we must learn to respect our informal agreements and give every region a fair share of leadership,” he concluded.