Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is willing to work with other political parties ahead of the 2027 governorship election in a bid to remove Governor Hyacinth Alia from office.
Ortom made the statement on Sunday while addressing more than 1,300 former political appointees who served during his administration at his residence in Makurdi.
He said politics requires cooperation, inclusion and shared interests, adding that alliances may be necessary to build a stronger platform capable of challenging the current administration in the state.
According to him, such partnerships are not unusual in politics and can be useful when parties have a common objective.
Ortom also noted that he has experience operating under different political platforms, having won the Benue governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 and later under the PDP in 2019.
He clarified that he remains a member of the PDP and has no intention of leaving the party, but said strategic political partnerships remain possible.
The former governor added that he would not contest any elective office in 2027, but said many of his supporters still have political ambitions that deserve support.
His comments have added to growing speculation about a possible political understanding between him and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Speaking on Akume, Ortom described him as a key figure in Benue politics and said he had embraced a spirit of compromise in the interest of the state.
He also urged his supporters not to be distracted by current political developments, expressing confidence that the PDP would overcome internal challenges and remain competitive.
Ortom said the party would continue to pursue lawful political participation and warned against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections.
Reflecting on the 2023 governorship election, the former governor admitted mistakes were made in the PDP’s candidate selection process.
He apologised to party members who felt unfairly treated during the primaries and acknowledged that imposing a candidate had negative consequences for the party.
Ortom also referenced the health challenges of the party’s former governorship candidate, Titus Uba, saying the situation should have been handled differently.
On his own 2023 senatorial election loss, he said he did not challenge the outcome in court because he did not feel compelled to continue the contest.
The former governor also criticised the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, warning that monarchs are expected to remain neutral under the law.
He said traditional institutions should remain open to all political parties and aspirants rather than openly supporting specific candidates.
Commenting on the PDP’s postponed national convention in Ibadan, Ortom described the process as flawed due to conflicting court rulings.
He said the party would instead conduct fresh congresses in 14 states before organising a proper and legitimate national convention.
With early positioning already underway ahead of 2027, Ortom’s remarks suggest political realignments in Benue may intensify in the coming months.
