Ortom, the former governor of Benue State, believes the PDP will take over from the APC in 2027.
But Governor Hyacinth Alia called Ortom’s ambition “laughable,” saying it would take the opposition party 40 more years to even come close to power in the state.
Governor Ortom, who was paid a courtesy visit by members of the G14 group at his Makurdi residence on Tuesday, urged the group to work diligently in order to ensure the resurgence of the PDP in the state.
In his address, he urged the members to come together and move forward from the crisis that ultimately resulted in the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 elections.
“I encourage you to remain loyal to the party and put past grievances behind you. Now is the time to work harder than ever before and bring back those who want to rejoin us.
Many people are eager to return to the party. Let us start a new journey, and with God on our side, we will reclaim power in 2027,” he added.
However, in response, Governor Alia dismissed Ortom’s optimism as a “laughable ambition.”
According to Solomon Iorpev, Alia’s Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity, and Strategy, the PDP would have to wait 30-40 years to win the governorship again, considering the current accomplishments of his administration.
“It’s a laughable ambition because with what the governor is doing, it will take another 30 to 40 years for the PDP to even dream about coming close to power in the state,” Iorpev said.
“No governor has achieved what His Excellency Hyacinth Alia has done in all spheres of governance.
Nobody would want to set aside such an achiever and opt for a party that is divided.
A party where one of its leaders campaigned for the Labour Party—how do you expect such a party to unite?”
Lorpev also mentioned that lots of PDP members have switched to the APC in local governments, making the opposition even weaker in the state.
“Who is left in the PDP to canvass for votes in 2027? What is their pedigree to make the party return to power? It’s a laughable ambition,” he maintained.