Samuel Ortom, immediate-past governor of Benue state, says he lost the 2023 senatorial election because he did not “consult God”.
Ortom spoke on Tuesday when the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi, the state capital.
The G-14 members are elders of the PDP in the 14 Tiv-speaking local government areas in Benue state.
In 2023, Ortom lost his senatorial bid to Titus Zam, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
Speaking on Tuesday, the former governor said God has asked him not to contest in 2027, adding that he had no option but to respect God’s wish.
“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,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“God has revealed everything to me. He has asked me to wait for him.”
Ortom said while serving the state as governor, he made far-reaching sacrifices, including abandoning his family and friends at some point for state matters.
He promised to support the party, adding that no one’s ambition should be above the interest of the party.
He said after he left office, he wanted to go on sabbatical, but the elders objected.
Ortom said the PDP national secretariat has approved the October 3 ward and local government congresses in Benue state.
