As the race to occupy the Benue North-west Senatorial District, popularly known as Zone B, seat in 2023, reaches its peak, JOHN SHIAONDO peeps into Governor Samuel Ortom’s chances in the contest.
The battle is indeed expected to be both fierce and interesting considering the pedigrees of those who have already shown interest in the race. Currently, there are more than ten candidates with high-profile resumes vying for the position.
The number of political parties contesting for the Zone B Senatorial seat, no doubt, explains the reason candidates particularly in the less influential political parties are employing all means possible to clinch the seat.
Several of the candidates have already started campaigning even as one of them, Dr. Samuel Ortom, the incumbent governor, has already been placed on his toes.
Governor Ortom, often referred to as The Defender of The Benue Valley, has already been declared unopposed by his party, the PDP.
Retrospect
Rising from a humble background as school drop-out and a garage tout 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).
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 in the forefront of all the aspirants who were running on the platform of the PDP, but for a twist of history which 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.
Providence
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.
Strengths
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 the Bishop Murray and Rahama Hospitals, all in Makurdi, for treatment of hernia and snakebites free-of-charge to numerous patients. The Foundation has so far spent over N100 million on snakebites’ treatments alone in the last nine 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 have 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 of 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.
Concerns
However, Dr. Ortom is likely to face some serious challenges because of his bad relationship with a former governor of the state and leader of the APC, Senator George Akume.
Senator Akume has remained a force to reckon with in the state since he left the People’s House in 2007.
He is said to be the most fortunate politician in the state to have produced two governors. He has been senator of the zone which Ortom is seeking to become for twelve years and rose to become the senate minority leader.
Akume, who is currently the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, had mentored Governor Gabriel Suswam, but later abandoned him for the APC and brought the governor’s kinsman, Prof. Steve Ugbah, to oust him in the 2011 general elections. Though he did not succeed, he was able to produce Ortom as governor against the candidate of the former governor, Senator Suswam.
Senator Akume was voted out of the senate in the 2019 election, because of his fight against Governor Ortom and it is believed that the APC leader will do all he can to pay the governor in the same coin.
Ortom may also have to contend with stiff opposition from the state civil servants who are aggrieved having been owed several months of their salary arrears for more than four years.
His intimidating political profile outburst against the federal government may also pitch him against powerful men on the political scene; those who will likely express fears over his outspoken and independent nature.
However, it is believed by many people that the only thing standing very strongly against the governor’s ambition for the senate of his zone is the salary arrears that have been left unpaid. If Ortom is able to clear the salaries of civil servants, his smooth sail to the Red Chamber will not be in doubt.