the G5 Governors had insisted the presidency should rotate to the South – Ortom speaks on why G5 betrayed Atiku, PDP in 2023
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has explained why he and other G5 Governors opposed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 elections.
Speaking on Arise TV on July 17, Ortom said the decision was rooted in the party’s failure to uphold equity, fairness, and justice. According to him, the G5 Governors had insisted the presidency should rotate to the South following eight years of Northern leadership under Muhammadu Buhari. However, the PDP’s choice to field another Northerner, Atiku, contradicted that principle.
“As someone who believes strongly in equity and justice, I couldn’t support that decision,” Ortom said.
He recalled that although the PDP zoning committee, which he chaired, recommended an open contest, he personally advocated for a Southern candidate. He clarified that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ultimately made the decision to support Atiku.
Addressing the role of Nyesom Wike, Ortom revealed that the group had backed Wike for both the presidential ticket and the vice-presidential slot. He noted that 16 out of 20 committee members voted for Wike as running mate, but the party leadership chose otherwise.
