By Dennis Mernyi  

On May 29 2023, the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, would be exiting office after he might have successfully completed his eight-year term tenure. 

Governor Ortom is one of the Nigerian governors, who is contesting for Senate of the Federal Republic.

As it has been the trend with outgoing governors transiting to the upper chamber of the country’s parliament, there are indications that the case of the Benue State Governor,  Ortom will not be different.

Ortom is not the first governor of the state to transit to the Senate.

The incumbent senator representing Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam, followed suit after he did eight years as governor of the state. This time, Ortom is bent on ensuring that he wears the same crown when he exits office.

Governor Ortom, often referred to as the Defender of The Benue Valley, has already been declared unopposed by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

He is fully in the race for the Benue North West Senate seat currently being occupied by Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker Jev. 

Rising from a humble background as a school drop-out, a garage boy, and a driver before re-acquiring education and then venturing into business and politics, the enigmatic governor actually came into lime-light politically when he was elected as chairman of Guma local government area on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 199.

Since then, Governor Ortom had held various positions in political parties of different dispensations, including state secretary and deputy chairman of the PDP in Benue. He went on to become the party’s national auditor before his appointment as a minister in July 2011.

He has marched through the murky waters of Benue politics in particular, garnering a lot of experience.

In the build-up to the 2015 governorship election, Dr. Ortom was arguably the favourite of the majority of the people. He was at the forefront of all the aspirants who were running on the platform of the PDP, but for a twist of history denied him the ‘famous’ ticket of the then ruling party. He promptly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he eventually emerged as governor.

Nobody at the time would have expected that the man from a small community in the state would become the governor of Benue state. It was only God and destiny that gave Ortom the chance against all odds to win the 2015 governorship election; a development that ultimately changed the narrative and political equation in the agrarian state.

As a grassroots politician, Governor Ortom has enjoyed support within the party and outside due to his outspoken and bold nature. Ortom possesses the ability to attract people towards him and aside from being governor; he seems to be more popular among all those contesting the Senatorial position against him.

Considering the strengths of the Guma-born politician, some people have also advanced arguments that Ortom knows the job description better than other aspirants, considering the various positions he has held in the political arena in addition to being an industrialist, entrepreneur and a farmer by extension.

Ortom has also paid his dues in the politics of Benue having risen from the position of ‘a nobody’ to greatness. His political prowess and disposition are considered unequalled by his admirers.

He is a successful businessman and philanthropist who has over the years dedicated his life to the service of humanity, through his business empire.

As a businessman, the governor through his company, Oracle Business Limited, has provided employment opportunities to many Benue indigenes and empowered many others through his driving school.

Through the Oracle Business Limited Foundation, Ortom has set aside funds at Bishop Murray and Rahama Hospitals, all in Makurdi, for the treatment of hernia and snakebites free of charge to numerous patients. The Foundation has spent over N100 million on snakebite treatments alone in the last couple of years and saved at least three hundred lives.

This alone has made him to be loved by many people, particularly in his zone. To many people, Governor Ortom is considered a well-bred politician.

It is also believed that his respect for the traditional institution in the state might have boosted his popularity and general acceptance among the traditional institution in his Zone which stands in his favour.

Apart from construction of the Tor Tiv Palace which is one of the best in the country, the governor is also currently constructing the Palace of Och’Idoma, another edifice of reckon when completed. He has purchased vehicles for the traditional rulers from 3rd class and above to ease their movement, the first that has ever happened to the traditional institution.

Ortom’s closeness to the traditional institution in the state, particularly in his senatorial district, may give him an edge over other candidates. As governor, he has contributed immensely to his zone and empowered many people in the area through appointments.

His fight for his people over the issue of insecurity and attacks on Benue communities, especially those in his zone, is one of the factors that will stand for Ortom’s aspirations to become a senator.

Many people believe that his assertive and outspoken nature will make him a good representative at the Red Chamber. He has also concentrated most of his projects in the zone, a situation that is believed to have been targeted to warm himself in the hearts of the Benue Zone B constituents.

So far, some groups have indicated interest to queue behind the governor to actualize his ambition. Some of the groups stated that they decided to back the governor because of his stance on ranching, which led to enactment of the anti-open grazing law in the state. 

For instance, former Speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives, Hon. Terngu Tsegba, was reported to have stated emphatically that the Senate seat for Benue North West Senatorial District has been exclusively reserved for Governor Ortom if he decides to contest in 2023. 

The Benue North West senatorial district consists of seven local government areas including Gboko, Tarka, Makurdi, Gwer, Gwer West, Buruku, and Guma, where Ortom hails from.

Furthermore, the local governments are divided into two political blocs of Jemgbagh (Gboko, Tarka and Buruku) and MINDA (Makurdi, Guma, Gwer and Gwer West). Hon. Tsegba had argued that Jemgbah had enjoyed more than its fair share of the seat for 18 years and maintained strongly that it is now the turn of MINDA to occupy it. A chieftain of MINDA, Hon. Cletus Ityokyaa, who also spoke at the meeting, appreciated Jemgbagh youths for declaring unalloyed support for Governor Ortom for the Senate seat. He explained that MINDA as a people have three blocs of Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov out of which two (Masev and Iharev) have produced senators (Joseph Waku and Fred Orti).

He further noted that the bloc, where the governor hails from (Nongov) has not produced a senator, adding: “therefore, it is now clear that the Senate seat should naturally go to his side and the good people of MINDA has settled for Governor Samuel Ortom to go for Senate come 2023″.

Hon. Tayol, who spoke on behalf of Jemgbah youths, expressed their willingness and readiness to ensure that Governor Ortom contests for the senatorial seat come 2023.

“We have felt the impact of democracy in Jemgbah under the leadership of Governor Ortom. Moreso, the primary purpose of any responsible government is the protection of lives and property without it no government can achieve anything.

This is because it is only a man who is alive that can enjoy any programmes brought by government, especially, social amenities. Governor Ortom has given us security and he is also doing well in infrastructure”.

The youths, in a communiqué signed by their secretary, Mr. Tyowa Simon Ker, declared as follows: “That we wish to make it very clear that Governor Ortom’s senatorial seat is long overdue.

“That Governor Ortom is the only candidate we are going to support for the Senate seat in 2023. We, the above-mentioned youth group will put resources together to purchase the nomination form for him to contest for the Senate position. “We shall ensure that Governor Ortom wins 100 percent of votes in Jemgbah and that we shall rise and resist any attempt that will be made to cause any political disorder”.

Dennis Mernyi is an Abuja based media & publicity consultant –mernyidennis@yahoo.com