Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has declared his readiness to support Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He gave the condition that he would give his support provided Makinde emerges as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ortom made this known during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he reaffirmed his firm stance on power remaining in southern Nigeria beyond 2027.
“I will never support a northern candidate in 2027,” Ortom stated emphatically.
“If Seyi Makinde emerges as the PDP presidential candidate, I will support him against Tinubu. That’s not in doubt.”
The former governor, however, clarified that Governor Makinde has not yet formally indicated interest in the 2027 presidential race, nor has he approached him for support.
“As of today, Makinde has not come to me to express any interest in running. But if he does and secures the PDP ticket, I will stand with him,” Ortom added.
He further stated that in the absence of a credible southern candidate from the PDP, he would back President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“If the PDP failed to produce a southern candidate, I will have no choice but to support Tinubu.
I cannot support a northern candidate under any circumstance in 2027,” he said.
Recall that Ortom, despite being a member of the PDP, supported Labour Party’s Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, turning his back on his party’s candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who hails from the North.