Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has revealed that he and a group of four other former governors within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had vigorously pushed for Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Ortom made the disclosure on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he provided insight into internal party dynamics and the failed efforts to influence the PDP presidential ticket.
The former Benue State governor identified the group as comprising himself, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), and himself, popularly referred to during the 2023 political season as the G-5 governors.
According to Ortom, after Wike lost the presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the group made another move to secure the vice-presidential slot for Wike.
However, that effort was equally thwarted by elements within the party’s leadership.
“I want to let you know, as politicians — and politics is about interests — we supported Wike wholeheartedly,” Ortom said. “We fought for him to become the PDP presidential candidate. When that didn’t work, we pressed for him to be chosen as Atiku’s running mate.”
The former governor explained that their position was informed by political logic and regional balance, stressing the importance of a southern candidate leading the ticket in the interest of equity and inclusion.
“I was part of a 20-man committee set up to recommend a suitable vice-presidential candidate for Atiku,” he added.
“Out of the 20, 16 members voted for Wike, but unfortunately, the presidential candidate and the leadership of the party ignored that recommendation. That decision, like others, was driven by personal and political interests.”
Ortom maintained that his advocacy for Wike stemmed from loyalty and shared ideology, noting that while politics is often seen as self-serving, it is also a platform for defending the interests of one’s constituency.
“Wike is my friend — he was, and he still is,” Ortom stated. “We stood together because we believed in equity.
The way politics works, it’s all about protecting your community, your people, and your own interests. When your interests are no longer protected, you naturally look elsewhere.”
Reflecting on the group’s original objective, Ortom said their hope was to see a southern candidate lead the PDP in the 2023 presidential race, as a means of balancing Nigeria’s power structure.
“Originally, what we wanted was for the PDP to present a southern candidate, which would have reflected fairness and regional rotation,” he said.
The comments by Ortom come amid ongoing tensions and recalibrations within the PDP, as the party prepares for upcoming elections and continues to grapple with the aftermath of its loss in the 2023 general election.
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