Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has explained his decision to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, despite backing Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
Ortom made his position known during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, describing his decision to support Tinubu as a conscious political choice rather than one he regrets.
The former governor said he had publicly indicated his intention to back Tinubu after his former G5 colleague, Nyesom Wike, was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He maintained that his subsequent alignment with the President remains his position ahead of the 2027 election.
Reflecting on the previous presidential contest, Ortom said he supported Obi in 2023 but changed his political position after Tinubu emerged as President and Nigerians had made their choice at the polls.
“I made a statement, and I have no regret making that statement, that in 2027 some of us will support Tinubu to win,” he said.
Ortom added: “In 2023, I supported Obi. When Nigerians spoke, and President Tinubu was president, I said, ‘If you can’t beat them, you join them.’”
The former Benue governor’s comments place him firmly in the camp supporting Tinubu for the 2027 presidential contest, marking a shift from the position he took during the 2023 election.
2027: Ortom Explains Decision to Back Tinubu After Supporting Peter Obi
