By Erewunmi Peace

Former Benue State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Ortom, has openly dismissed the chances of success for the newly formed ADC-led opposition coalition, stating that he neither supports the alliance nor believes it can withstand political or legal scrutiny.

In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ortom declared:

“I am not joining any coalition. I remain in the PDP, and I don’t see that coalition surviving. Even if they survive litigation, they will be defeated hands down.”

The coalition, championed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), seeks to rally opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Ortom stressed that political alliances formed without strong grassroots support and internal cohesion rarely last.

Ortom, who was a member of the G5 governors that distanced themselves from PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also reiterated that he has no regrets about his previous political stance. He maintained that his decision during the 2023 election was based on principle, not pressure.

“I have no regrets working against Atiku. I acted in the interest of fairness and equity. I’ve moved on, and I’m focused on rebuilding the PDP in Benue and beyond.”

The statement has sparked new debates about the viability of third-force movements in Nigeria’s political space, especially as parties begin to align ahead of the next general elections.

As of now, Ortom’s position signals a clear rejection of the ADC-led coalition, despite growing calls from some opposition figures for a united front against the ruling APC.