Ortom Denies Plans to Defect, Vows Loyalty to PDP

Ortom denies plans to defect, vows loyalty to PDP.
He pledges full support for PDP’s 2027 comeback efforts.
Ex-governor accuses Alia of diversion over Benue’s ₦100bn loan.

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed rumours suggesting that he plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that he remains loyal and committed to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that during a meeting in Makurdi with members of the PDP G-14 and key stakeholders from the 14 Local Government Areas in Zones A and B, Ortom described the reports of his defection as false stories fabricated by “mischief makers.”

Ortom assured party members that his focus remains on rebuilding the PDP in Benue State, stressing that unity and consistency were essential for the party to reclaim power in the next elections.

“I’m not planning to leave PDP. I remain loyal, and together with commitment and dedication, we shall reclaim Benue come 2027,” the former governor said.

He urged party aspirants to engage in broad consultations and remain undeterred by ongoing defections to the ruling party, noting that he would fully support all PDP candidates at every level despite not contesting any position himself.

Meanwhile, Ortom recently clashed with his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, over comments regarding the state’s finances and a newly approved ₦100 billion loan.

In a statement issued through his Media Adviser, Terver Akase, Ortom described Alia’s remarks as “baseless and diversionary,” accusing the governor of avoiding accountability for his administration’s financial decisions.

Akase argued that rather than addressing legitimate concerns raised by the PDP about the loan and fiscal transparency, the Alia-led administration has resorted to personal attacks. He further questioned how the government has managed the state’s revenues since May 2023, amid reports of contract awards “without due process or budgetary provisions.”