Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has defended his decision to lend his vehicle to Peter Obi during the presidential candidate’s recent visit to the state, describing the gesture as a simple courtesy that should not be interpreted as political collaboration.
Ortom, through his media aide, Terver Akase, said refusing to assist Obi with transportation would have been “petty” and unbecoming of a former governor.
Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, had visited Benue last Tuesday as part of plans to meet victims and families affected by the June 2025 massacre in Yelewata.
His planned movement from Makurdi to Yelewata was disrupted after youths reportedly blocked his convoy around Gyado Villa, a few kilometres from the airport.
Following the incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, alleged that Ortom was involved in facilitating Obi’s visit.
