The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, says God told him not to contest any election in 2027.

Ortom disclosed this when the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

The G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv-speaking Local Government Areas of Benue State.

Ortom said he had no option but to respect God’s wish, adding that he failed to consult God before joining the 2023 election, hence his defeat.

The former governor stated that the PDP was determined to take over the Benue State Government House in 2027.

Ortom said: “I’m not contesting the 2027 election. I knew why I lost the election in 2023. I didn’t consult God. My people purchased the forms for me, and I accepted them without consulting God.

“God has revealed everything to me. He has asked me to wait for him.”

Ortom further disclosed that while serving the state as governor, he made far-reaching sacrifices, including abandoning his family and friends at some point for state matters.

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The former governor promised to continue to support the PDP, adding that no one’s ambition should be above the interest of the party.

According to him, after he left office, he wanted to go on sabbatical, but the elders objected.

Ortom said nobody has the power to disband the revered PDP G-14 group, not even him as the leader of the party.

He added: “As a leader of the party in the state, I lack the powers to dissolve the group. So nobody can disband this group.

“G-14 is the elders forum of the PDP in Benue. If anything must happen, I must know first because I am the leader.”

On the forthcoming congresses, he said the national secretariat had already approved the ward and local government congresses of Benue State, adding that the state congress would hold on October 3.

The Chairman of PDP G-14, Dr Laha Dzever, declared full support for the Ortom-led leadership.

Dzever said they came to again pledge their support for his leadership and promised to work for the peace and unity of the party.

The Star