Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has reaffirmed his support for the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the upcoming Nigerian presidential election on February 25. Speaking to members of the Igbo community in Benue State on Monday, Governor Ortom expressed his willingness to sacrifice his senatorial ambition for Obi to emerge as the next President of Nigeria.
Ortom, the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Benue North West, previously endorsed Obi as his preferred presidential candidate in January after a fallout with the national leadership of the PDP over his refusal to support the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
During the meeting on Monday, Governor Ortom stressed the importance of the opportunity to elect an Igbo man as the President of Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to vote for Obi, emphasizing that his candidacy transcends tribalistic, religious, or any other sentiments.
According to Ortom, having an Igbo man emerge as the next President of Nigeria is a God-given opportunity that should not be missed. He stated that, apart from the historical significance of an Igbo man assuming the position of the President of Nigeria, Obi’s candidacy represents the best choice for the country.
He stated, “So, let us not miss this opportunity that God himself is providing. The youth and his people have told him – stakeholders here, traditional rulers, party people across party lines. Obi’s matter is not about APC, PDP, SDP, or any other party but about Nigeria.”
Governor Ortom also pointed out that the Igbo community in Nigeria is well-connected and can elect one of their own as the country’s leader. He added that the support for Obi’s candidacy has been widespread across the country, cutting across political and regional divides.
He expressed his disappointment with some prominent Igbo personalities who have been critical of Obi’s candidacy, stating that this was a time for unity, not division. He said, “That is why when I hear some prominent Igbo personalities castigating Peter Obi for contesting the election – is it not you people that have been saying you have been marginalized since after the war? The opportunity has come today, and we are still complaining. What do you want?! What are you looking for?”
Ortom also stated that the support for Obi’s candidacy has been solid, and he remains confident that Obi will win the election. He said, “I know that if [any group of] people are connected in this world, they are the Igbo, this is the opportunity to say that an Igbo man from the South-East is President.”
In conclusion, Governor Ortom pledged his support for Peter Obi’s presidential ambition and urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity to elect an Igbo man as the President of Nigeria. He emphasized the historical significance of such an event and expressed his confidence that Obi is the right choice for the country.
