Ortom apologises for imposing governorship candidate on PDP

Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has admitted to making a grave political error by imposing Mr Titus Uba as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 general election, offering a public apology to party leaders and members across the state.

Ortom acknowledged that his decision disregarded the outcome of an internal mock poll conducted among aspirants and ultimately weakened the party’s electoral prospects.

The former governor described the move as a costly misjudgement that continued to haunt the PDP throughout the election season.

He tendered the apology on Sunday at his residence in Makurdi while hosting former political appointees from the state’s 23 local government areas, who visited him in solidarity.

According to Ortom, senior party figures had cautioned against the choice, warning that the candidate would struggle to gain public acceptance, advice he admitted he ignored.

“I did not consult God before taking that decision,” Ortom said, expressing remorse.

He further apologised to aspirants who had emerged ahead of Uba during the mock election exercise, stating, “I apologise to those who were ahead of him when you conducted your mock election to determine the leading candidate among the then aspirants.”

Ortom said there were clear warning signs that the decision was flawed, pointing to the candidate’s health challenges and the financial strain they imposed on the state.

“His treatment overseas cost the state government over N300 million. That alone was a sign that he was not the right choice for the party,” he said.

Offering an unreserved apology to all those who contested the PDP ticket, Ortom added, “I insisted it must be Uba. I am sorry for my actions.”

He also urged party members to speak honestly to leaders, even when doing so may be uncomfortable.

“If you had summoned the courage and told me to my face that I was making a blunder, maybe I would have reconsidered,” he stated.

Addressing speculations about his political future, Ortom dismissed claims of defection from the PDP, reaffirming his commitment to rebuilding the party in Benue State.

He expressed optimism that the PDP would overcome its internal challenges, citing a recent Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that nullified the party’s national convention as an opportunity to “put its house in order and reposition for future elections.”