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Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has publicly admitted to making a significant political error by imposing Hon. Titus Uba as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, describing the decision as one that ultimately weakened the party’s prospects at the polls.
Ortom made the candid admission and tendered an apology on Sunday, February 1, 2026, while hosting a large delegation of his former political appointees from all 23 local government areas of Benue State. The group had paid him a solidarity visit at his residence in Makurdi.
Reflecting on the events leading to the 2023 governorship race, Ortom revealed that the choice of Uba went against the results of an internal mock primary conducted by the PDP, in which other aspirants had reportedly performed better. He acknowledged that several influential stakeholders within the party had strongly advised against imposing any candidate, warning that such a move would struggle to gain broad acceptance among voters and party faithful.
Despite the counsel, Ortom said he overruled the advice and insisted on Uba’s candidature. “I did not consult God before taking that decision,” he stated, expressing deep regret over the outcome. He further apologised directly to the other aspirants who outperformed Uba in the mock election exercise.
“I apologise to those who were ahead of him when you conducted your mock election to determine the leading candidate among the then aspirants,” Ortom said.
The former governor also pointed to warning signs that were evident before the election, including Uba’s health challenges which necessitated overseas medical treatment. He disclosed that the Benue State government reportedly spent over N300 million on the candidate’s medical care abroad, a development he now views as an indication that Uba may not have been the strongest or most suitable choice for the party.
In a full and unconditional apology, Ortom took sole responsibility for the decision, stating, “I insisted it must be Uba. I am sorry for my actions.”
The remarks come at a time when reflections on the 2023 elections continue to shape political conversations in Benue State, particularly within the PDP, which lost the governorship to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. Ortom’s admission and apology have been seen by observers as a rare instance of public accountability from a former governor, potentially influencing ongoing discussions about party unity, candidate selection processes, and leadership responsibility ahead of future elections.
