The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said that the southern region must be allowed to complete its eight-year term before power returns to the North.
The governor stated this on Thursday while addressing newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital.
He asserted that he would not support a Northern candidate if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chooses to field one in the 2027 election.
He said, “Till today, I, Ortom, believe in southern presidency, even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years.
“So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate.”
Speaking further, he commended President Bola Tinubu for some of the economic reforms initiated under his administration.
“Tinubu administration is doing well; he is ensuring that the rule of law prevails, and this is good for our country.
“The oil industry had been a place where a few cliques siphoned our common wealth, but with the removal of subsidies, there is a lot of money in all the states.
“The president even stated this during his visit to Benue at the height of the killing of our people in Yelwata, where he said that no state would say it doesn’t have money to pay salaries,” he said.
Ortom also lauded the ongoing tax reforms, describing them as steps in the right direction for economic growth.
However, Ortom criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Buhari’s administration took the country from “top to bottom.”
Ortom said he is not part of the newly formed coalition.
He added, “I remain a member and leader of Peoples Democratic Party; I am even a board member of my party and I don’t believe in coalition but where there’s need for strategic partnership, you will see me there.”