Former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom has firmly distanced himself from the newly formed opposition coalition anchored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that he and his political base will remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Monday, Ortom dismissed the ADC-led alliance—recently joined by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political heavyweights—as lacking the resilience and structure to withstand Nigeria’s turbulent political terrain.
“People are free to join any coalition that they so wish,” Ortom said. “But for me and the people that I lead, we remain in the PDP. I’m the leader of PDP in Benue State and a member of the Board of Trustees. We have no business with that.”
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Ortom’s comments come at a time of intense political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. While the ADC coalition has welcomed figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi in a bid to form a united opposition front, Ortom is among a growing number of prominent PDP loyalists questioning its viability.
“I don’t see it surviving,” Ortom said bluntly. “Even if they get through with the litigation that is going on, they will be defeated hands down.”
Ortom also reacted to Atiku Abubakar’s recent resignation from the PDP, saying he was not surprised by the former vice-president’s decision to walk away from the party he helped found. Atiku’s quiet departure last week signalled a major shift in Nigeria’s political calculus, but Ortom appeared unfazed.
“I expected it,” he said.
