Ortom backs Obasanjo, says Peter Obi is the president Nigeria needs now

Samuel Ortom of Benue State, one of the influential G5 governors who are upset, has endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the party’s presidential candidate, claiming that the former governor of Anambra State will be a true president for the nation.

In response to Obasanjo openly endorsing Obi’s presidential campaign on Tuesday in his New Year’s greeting, Ortom said that if he weren’t a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would have personally led Obi’s campaign team across the nation.

In a statement issued in Makurdi on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase, Ortom said he had recommended Obi to Nigerians “as the man who has the capacity to effectively tackle the economic, security and other challenges facing the country.

“The Governor is convinced that Obi possesses the qualities of a leader who will be a true President of this country by guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians,” the statement said.

“The Governor stresses that for some years, the country has been tottering on the verge of collapse, owing to leadership failure and its attendant consequences of poverty, heightened insecurity with banditry, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism threatening the very foundations of the nation.

“He says the President that Nigeria needs at this challenging time in the country’s history is one who understands the urgent need to unite the people and speedily initiate policies and actions to redirect the ship of the nation on the path of growth and development, and emphasizes that Peter Obi has all such qualities.

“Governor Ortom lauds Chief Obasanjo for once again demonstrating objectivity, truth and patriotism as a statesman whose views on national issues must be taken seriously.”