MAKURDI — Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has defended his decision to provide his personal Toyota Land Cruiser to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his recent trip to the state. Ortom dismissed accusations of political double-dealing, stating that refusing to assist a prominent national leader on a humanitarian mission would have been “petty, inhospitable, and beneath the dignity of a former governor.”
Speaking through his media consultant and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Terver Akase, in Makurdi on Saturday, September 12, 2026, Ortom reacted to claims made by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The Benue State Government had accused Ortom of facilitating Obi’s visit and secretly backing his 2027 presidential ambition despite Ortom’s public endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The row followed an incident on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, where Obi’s convoy was blocked by protesting youths near Gyado Villa along the Makurdi-Gboko expressway. The blockade prevented the former Anambra State governor from traveling to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathize with victims and relatives affected by communal violence.
Key Points from Ortom’s Response
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A Statesmanlike Courtesy: Ortom emphasized that providing transportation to Obi—a former governor, fellow political leader, and 2027 presidential candidate—was a basic act of hospitality rather than political collusion.
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State Government Responsibility: The former governor argued that extending official courtesy, security, and logistical support to a visiting national figure on a condolence mission should ordinarily have been handled by the current Benue State Government.
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Rejection of “Double-Faced” Claims: Reaffirming his political alignment, Ortom dismissed allegations of political duplicity. He noted that while he openly supported Obi during the 2023 election, he has publicly declared his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027 and maintains his commitments transparently.
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Vehicle Investigation Details: The controversy surfaced after Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula, revealed that state investigations linked the Toyota Land Cruiser (Registration Number: ABUJA: GWA 608 BT) used to pick up Obi at Makurdi Airport directly to FRSC records associated with Ortom’s Judges Quarters address.
