Former Governor of Benue State and prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Ortom, has poured cold water on the recently formed coalition backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the movement lacks the cohesion and political capital necessary to survive Nigeria’s intense political landscape.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Ortom categorically stated that he has no interest in aligning with any political coalition outside the PDP. “People are free to join any coalition that they so wish, but for me, and the people that I lead, we remain in PDP,” Ortom asserted. “I’m the leader of PDP in Benue State and a member of the Board of Trustees. I am not joining any coalition. We have no business with that.”
He went further to cast doubts on the coalition’s longevity and strength, saying: “I don’t see it surviving. In any case, even if they survive, if they are through with the litigation that is going on, they will be defeated hands down.” His remarks come amid mounting efforts by some opposition figures to regroup and challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PDP Remains the Base, Says Ortom
Ortom was unequivocal in affirming his loyalty to the PDP, stressing that the party remains the best political vehicle for national unity and sustainable governance. Despite rising calls for third-force movements, he maintained that realignment outside the traditional political frameworks is unlikely to yield results in the near term.
According to the former governor, the PDP still retains a strong national presence, institutional memory, and political structures across Nigeria’s 36 states, making it a more viable alternative than any coalition of smaller parties. “I have invested my time and commitment in PDP. The party has faced challenges but remains the only national party that represents all interests,” he said.
Ortom’s statement further consolidates his political stance following speculations about possible defection or alignment with emerging third-force platforms. His remarks also signal resistance from some PDP elders to any attempt at breaking the party’s rank before 2027.
Ortom Defends 2023 Opposition to Atiku
In the same interview, Ortom addressed the lingering controversy over his opposition to the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 elections. The former governor was one of the most vocal figures in the G5 group of PDP governors who refused to back Atiku’s candidacy, citing zoning and equity concerns.
Ortom stood by his decision to back a southern candidate in defiance of his party’s choice. “How can you explain to me that a northerner won the presidency for eight years and another northerner, from the same ethnic group, will win the presidency for another four or eight years, as the case may be?” he asked rhetorically.
He described the idea as a violation of Nigeria’s unwritten power-sharing understanding between the North and South. “Our democracy has not gotten to that level. We said no; it is in the unwritten constitution that the North will do eight years and the South will do eight years. So, we believed in a southern presidency and not a northern presidency,” Ortom declared.
A Subtle Swipe at Atiku and the PDP Leadership
Ortom’s comments could be interpreted as a veiled rebuke of Atiku Abubakar and the PDP leadership’s failure to enforce the principle of power rotation. His tone during the interview suggests lingering frustration over how the party handled its 2023 primaries, with many party stakeholders feeling sidelined or ignored.
While he stopped short of directly attacking Atiku, Ortom made it clear that his support for a southern presidential aspirant was not an act of betrayal but a principled stand for fairness and inclusion in Nigeria’s plural political environment. “It is unheard of that a northerner, Muhammadu Buhari, who ruled the country for eight years, was to be succeeded by another northerner in the person of Atiku,” he emphasized.
Ortom’s reaffirmation of this stance may reignite internal debates within the PDP as the party begins to strategize for 2027. His position highlights the continued need for reconciliation and inclusive decision-making if the PDP is to remain united going forward.
Political Realignments Loom Ahead of 2027
The broader political context of Ortom’s remarks is Nigeria’s increasingly fluid political terrain as preparations subtly begin for the 2027 general elections. With public dissatisfaction growing over economic and security challenges, several opposition figures have floated the idea of new coalitions to upstage the APC and PDP.
However, Ortom believes that such alliances are premature and unlikely to withstand internal contradictions or sustained political pressure. His warning may serve as both a caution and a challenge to those pushing for a third-force narrative without a concrete strategy or nationwide appeal.
As the political chessboard begins to shift, Ortom’s position reinforces the idea that traditional party structures, despite their flaws, still dominate Nigeria’s electoral landscape. The months ahead may determine whether the emerging coalitions can indeed reshape the political order or simply fade into obscurity as previous attempts have
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