Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has explained his decision to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, despite previously identifying with Peter Obi’s political movement.
Ortom said his decision was influenced by what he described as the need to support a candidate capable of addressing Nigeria’s current challenges and advancing national interests.
The former governor’s position represents a notable shift in the political landscape, particularly as Peter Obi continues to build support ahead of the 2027 election. Ortom has previously been associated with opposition politics and was among prominent figures who supported Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
According to the latest report, Ortom said he had carefully reconsidered his political position and concluded that supporting Tinubu was the direction he wanted to take going into the next election.
His decision is significant because Ortom remains an influential political figure in Benue and the wider North-Central region. His endorsement could attract attention among voters and political actors as parties intensify their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development also highlights the fluid nature of Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political alignments. Several prominent politicians have changed alliances or reassessed their positions as opposition groups and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prepare for the presidential contest.
Tinubu, who was elected president in 2023, is seeking another term in office, while Obi is positioning himself as one of the major opposition contenders. The 2027 contest is expected to feature intense competition over voters, particularly in politically strategic regions.
Ortom served as Benue governor from 2015 to 2023 and was a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His political influence in the state has made his latest position relevant to discussions about the evolving alliances ahead of the election.
