(Samuel Ortom. Phoot by Tribune Onlinme)
Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said he is backing President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election while supporting the Peoples Democratic Party for state positions in Benue.
Ortom explained that he will vote for Tinubu at the national level but wants PDP candidates for governor and other state offices in Benue.
His mixed support means voting for one party at the federal level and a different party at the state level.
The announcement sparked mixed reactions online.
Some Nigerians said voters have the right to support different parties at different levels of government and that national and state issues are separate matters.
Others questioned whether Ortom was trying to win favour from the federal government or said his position made no sense.
A number of social media users also criticized the former governor’s overall political record and relevance in Benue politics.
“I’m supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president, but in Benue State, I support PDP members for the governorship and other elections” — Benue ex-gov. Samuel Ortom pic.twitter.com/RJO0wW3HgO
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) September 9, 2026