Crisis hits G-5 governors as Gov. Ortom declares support for Obi

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday supported the endorsement of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi by ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ortom said if not for his allegiance to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) he would have personally championed the campaign of Peter Obi across the country.

Ortom described Peter Obi has a leader with distinctive qualities with the expertise to salvage Nigeria from economic decline and insecurity bedeviling the country.

The Benue Governor is among the G-5 Governors who are agitating for a Southerner to succeed President Muhammad Buhari after his tenure in May 2023.

Rivers Gov. Nyesom Wike and other PDP Governors had rejected the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 poll, insisting on the resignation of the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu to pave way for a Southern chairman.

“He possesses the qualities of a leader who will be a true president of this country by guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians,” Ortom said.

He made his position known in a statement signed by Terver Akase, his spokesman, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews.

“Governor Ortom strongly recommends Peter Obi to Nigerians as the man who has the capacity to effectively tackle the economic, security and other challenges facing the country.

“The Governor stresses that for some years, the country has been tottering on the verge of collapse, owing to leadership failure and its attendant consequences of poverty, heightened insecurity with banditry, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism threatening the very foundations of the nation,” he said.

Ortom said the President that Nigeria needs at this challenging time in the country’s history is one who understands the urgent need to unite the people and speedily initiate policies and actions to redirect the ship of the nation on the path of growth and development, and emphasizes that Peter Obi has all such qualities.

“Governor Ortom lauds Chief Obasanjo for once again demonstrating objectivity, truth and patriotism as a statesman whose views on national issues must be taken seriously.”