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Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has categorically denied circulating reports that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing the claims as entirely false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.
In a statement issued on his behalf by his Media Adviser/Consultant, Dr. Terver Akase, Ortom described the rumour as a calculated act of misinformation designed to confuse the public and misrepresent his firm political standing.
The former governor alleged that the false narrative was sponsored by political opponents unsettled by his continued relevance and influence in Benue State politics. He further accused those behind the rumour of producing and circulating a fake APC membership card falsely attributed to him in an attempt to lend credibility to the baseless claim.
“This act is not only irresponsible but also exposes the depth of desperation among those behind it,” the statement read. “The alleged defection exists only in the imagination of its promoters.”
Ortom reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing that he remains a proud, committed, and influential member of the party. He restated his role as the leader of the PDP in Benue State and as a respected member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
He described the rumour as a product of “wishful thinking and political anxiety,” urging the public, supporters, and party faithful to completely ignore and disregard the report in its entirety.
The denial comes amid ongoing political speculation in the state ahead of future elections, where Ortom’s position and influence continue to attract significant attention. The former governor, who led Benue from 2015 to 2023 under the PDP platform, has consistently maintained his alignment with the opposition party despite various political realignments across the country.
By firmly shutting down the defection rumour, Ortom has sought to put an end to the speculation and reinforce his commitment to the PDP at a time when party loyalty and defections remain hot topics in Nigerian politics.
