Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is facing backlash ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with some stakeholders in the state accusing him of a “double political game” between President Bola Tinubu and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
SaharaReporters learnt that the controversy followed the recent visit of Peter Obi to Benue State, where the Nigerian Democratic Congress ((NDC)) presidential candidate was reportedly received at the civilian wing of the Air Force Base Airport in Makurdi with a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly belonging to Ortom.
The development has raised eyebrows because Ortom, who backed Obi during the 2023 presidential election, has in recent times been publicly associated with support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.
The vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was reportedly sent by Ortom to receive Obi when he arrived in Benue.
A vehicle information check with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reportedly linked the SUV to Ortom, identifying the former governor as its registered owner.
The development has fuelled speculation among stakeholders in the state, particularly against the backdrop of Ortom’s previous relationship with Obi and his more recent political alignment with Tinubu.
Ortom was one of the prominent PDP figures whose political activities contributed to the deep divisions within the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
He subsequently backed Obi, who finished third in the presidential election won by Tinubu.
But as the 2027 election approaches, Ortom has been telling supporters and political associates that he is backing the incumbent president.
His reported decision to deploy his personal vehicle to receive Obi, however, has now provided fresh ammunition for those questioning whether the former governor has completely abandoned his previous political alignment.
Other details of the vehicles as obtained from a basic check across the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) vehicle information report include: Name: Dr. Samuel Ortom,
Address: Judges Quarters, Mkaurdi
Policy number: 5644565886669989868789333555
Application date: 2021-06-18
Chassis number: JTMHX01J2L5102347…”
It had been reported last Tuesday that Peter Obi was in Benue State but he was prevented by hoodlums from proceeding to visit the places he had intended to visit.
The NDC presidential candidate had accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of sponsoring the blockage of the road to prevent him from visiting Yelewata to commensurate with family members of the victims of the pogrom that happened in 2025.
But Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Spokesman, Tersoo Kula denied the governor’s knowledge and involvement, claiming that it was either the incident was stage-managed to give the governor a bad name or there were factions within the NDC that were not comfortable with some developments in the party and decided to demonstrate.