Atiku vs G5: Is Governor Ortom’s Senatorial Bid Threatened?

Despite the five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) working to endorse either Labour Party’s Peter Obi or Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Governor Samuel Ortom’s senatorial bid is not threatened.

Naija News reports that the PDP leadership has hinted that the G5 Governors may be sanctioned or expelled if they go ahead to endorse another candidate aside the party’s flagbearer, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

This, many have said, would impact the ambition of Ortom, Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who are all seeking election into various positions.

Sources have revealed that Ortom’s senatorial bid would not likely be affected if he supports Peter Obi or Tinubu.

Close allies of the Benue State governor believe that Ortom has a firm grip on his Benue North West Senatorial District, which covers seven local government areas.

Ortom’s allies, however, think he would have a challenge in Tarka LGA where APC’s strong leader, Senator George Akume, who is the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, hails from as well as part of Gboko LGA, the base of the PDP national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

“Whether Ortom supports Obi or Tinubu, it will not affect his senatorial bid. It will not affect him except for the voting pattern in Makurdi metropolis, which is usually dicey because the sitting government never wins elections in the state capital because of its homogenous nature.

“But, Ortom broke the jinx and won in the last election. So, he would likely scale through again,” one of the allies told Daily Trust.