Samuel Ortom, immediate past governor of Benue State, has ruled out any intention to run for elective office in the 2027 general elections. This includes the Benue North-West senatorial seat, contrary to claims circulating on social media. In a statement issued by his Media Adviser/Consultant, Dr Terver Akase, and shared with journalists in Makurdi, Ortom dismissed the reports as false. "I have no intention whatsoever to contest any elective office in 2027. I have said this clearly, publicly, and repeatedly," Ortom stated. He added that such a position should not require "translation or creative reinterpretation." The former governor stressed that his current focus is on promoting democratic values, supporting the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and providing statesmanlike counsel rather than seeking political office. He described the speculation as "a fabrication" and urged the public to disregard it. Ortom served two terms as governor of Benue State, having been in office from 2015 to 2023. Since leaving office, he has remained active in party affairs and public commentary. No successor or alternative candidate has been named by Ortom in relation to any potential PDP bid for the Benue North-West seat. The party's official candidate selection process for the 2027 elections is expected to begin in 2026.
When Ortom says he has "no intention whatsoever" to run in 2027 and insists his words need no reinterpretation, it signals a deliberate step back from frontline politics — not hesitation. Given his repeated public statements, the persistence of speculation suggests either deliberate misinformation or deep uncertainty within PDP ranks about post-2023 leadership. His focus on "statesmanlike guidance" hints at a role behind the scenes, possibly shaping party strategy without bearing the ballot burden. That kind of influence from outside office may prove more lasting than another term ever could.
