Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has declared that he will not support any northern candidate in the 2027 presidential election, no matter the political party.
Speaking to journalists, Ortom said his stand is based on the principle of fairness and balance in power-sharing between Nigeria’s North and South. He stressed the importance of respecting the “gentleman agreement” that each region should serve two presidential terms—eight years before power rotates.
“The unwritten agreement is that the North does eight years, then the South does eight years. The South has not completed its turn yet. So, in 2027, I believe the presidency should remain in the South,” Ortom said.
He added that he would back a southern candidate, whether from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or from any other party, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), if the person is credible and capable.
Ortom also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, saying the president is doing his best under the current difficult conditions. “In the land of the blind, a man with one eye is the king,” he said, urging Nigerians to support Tinubu’s reforms, including subsidy removal and tax restructuring.
“I’ve said it before and I stand by it. Even during the 2023 elections, I preferred to lose my senatorial bid than support a northern presidential candidate. It was about fairness,” he said.
Ortom called on Nigerians to remain united and to always consider the good of the country above party politics. He added that leadership should be about competence and national interest, not regional domination.