Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that all lingering disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been amicably resolved, positioning the party to successfully conduct its forthcoming National Convention and prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Ortom made the remarks on Thursday during a media briefing in Makurdi, emphasising that the PDP is not currently in any coalition with another political party.
“To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing like a coalition and my party is not into any coalition with any political party,” he said firmly.
The ex-governor reiterated his support for a Southern presidency in 2027, noting that the North has enjoyed eight uninterrupted years of holding the nation’s highest office.
“It is only in line with the tenets of democracy for the South to have their eight years,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Ortom also expressed confidence that the North-Central zone has a strong case for the presidency by 2031.
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Reflecting on his tenure as governor amid numerous economic challenges including two recessions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and declining oil prices, Ortom highlighted several developmental achievements in Benue State.
He noted that his administration constructed and rehabilitated over 700 primary schools, fully funded accreditation for the Benue State University College of Health Sciences, and completed significant road projects in Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo, and other parts of the state.
Ortom also mentioned landmark projects such as the construction of the Tor Tiv and O’Chi Idoma palaces, the BIPC Fountain Estate, Nyorgyungu, and the BENGIS building among others.
Addressing concerns over unpaid salaries during his administration, he clarified that although he inherited seven months of unpaid salaries, he left office owing only five months.
“It is not fair to say I didn’t pay salaries at all. I was governor of Benue for 96 months, I paid 91 months and owed five months,” he said.
He further noted that 28 Nigerian states faced salary payment difficulties during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari due to the prevailing economic circumstances.
On the controversial Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, Ortom stood by the legislation and its implementation, challenging critics to propose better solutions to the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria.
“Over 300 herdsmen who violated the Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law were prosecuted during my time as governor,” he revealed.
