Sir Peter Obi (L) with Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State
Samuel Ortom, Benue State governor, would have worked for the victory of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), if he was not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ortom made this known on Wednesday when he received Obi, who was in the state to commiserate with residents over flooding.
The Benue State governor said the 2023 presidential election would be a three-horse race involving Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ortom said Nigerians needed to assess the three presidential candidates and elect the person “who has the capacity to deliver and make things work for our country, Nigeria”.
Said he: “Let us be factual. Let us be frank with ourselves because we are toying with our future. A country of over 200 million people deserves a better leadership that is proactive, has foresight and vision to make things work for our country.
“I look forward that these three candidates of the various political parties will meet and say ‘look, let this man go’.
“I am in PDP and I am working for PDP. But I tell you, if I was not in PDP, you will see me working for Peter Obi. But I am in PDP. Let’s see how things work out”.
Ortom’s remarks came hours after Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, and PDP member, endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Lagos State counterpart who is a member of the APC, for a second term in office.
Ortom and Wike are allies and they have been demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman of the PDP.
The crisis in the PDP has festered, while Ayu has maintained that he will complete his tenure.
