We Did Everything for Wike to Emerge PDP Presidential Candidate, but It Failed – Ortom

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has revealed that he and a group of fellow governors made concerted efforts to ensure Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, became the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election. Ortom made this disclosure during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday.

He named the other governors involved in the push as Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and himself, along with Wike, all part of the so-called G5 Governors bloc. According to Ortom, when their bid to secure the presidential ticket for Wike failed, they shifted focus to lobbying for him to be selected as the running mate to the party’s eventual presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Ortom, however, lamented that their efforts were blocked by key figures within the PDP leadership. He said a 20-member committee was set up to recommend a vice-presidential candidate, and 16 members of that group voted in favour of Wike. Despite this, the party’s leadership and Atiku chose to go in a different direction.

Ortom described the internal dynamics of the party as driven by interest, emphasizing that politics is largely shaped by self-preservation and shifting alliances. “Politics is about interest. No permanent enemy, no permanent friend. Everyone is seeking the interest of their community, their people, and themselves. Politics is selfish, and when your interest is not protected, you look elsewhere,” he stated.

Despite the fallout, Ortom maintained that his personal relationship with Wike remains intact, affirming that their friendship has endured beyond the political setbacks. He added that from the outset, the group’s goal had been to ensure the PDP’s presidential ticket went to the South, aligning with their stance on zoning and regional equity.