Former Benue State governor Samuel Ortum has rejected claims that he is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential election, labeling a campaign poster circulating online as fabricated and misleading.
The denial was issued on Thursday through a statement from Ortum’s media adviser and consultant, Terver Akake. The statement clarified that Ortum has no intention of running for president or seeking any other elective office in the upcoming general elections.
According to the release, the viral poster was created by individuals seeking to generate political tension and spread misinformation among the electorate. “His Excellency Samuel Ortum’s attention has been drawn to a fake poster being circulated on social media alleging that he is preparing to run for president in 2027,” the statement read. “It is entirely false, unfounded and designed by mischief makers to spread confusion and fuel baseless political speculation.”
Akake urged the public to disregard the image and warned that the disinformation campaign is aimed at deceiving unsuspecting Nigerians. He called on citizens to avoid amplifying the false content by sharing or commenting on it.
Ortom’s rejection comes amid heightened speculation about potential candidates for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race. The former governor, who served from 2015 to 2023, has previously kept a low profile on national politics since leaving office. While he remains an influential figure in Benue State and within his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), there has been no official indication that he intends to contest the top post.
The incident highlights the broader challenge of misinformation on social media platforms ahead of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle. Authorities and political actors have repeatedly cautioned that fabricated images and false statements can distort public perception and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
No legal action has been announced against the creators of the poster. The statement concluded by reiterating Ortum’s focus on his current engagements and his commitment to refrain from participating in partisan contests until a formal declaration, if any, is made in the future.
As the 2027 elections approach, observers are likely to monitor the political landscape for further developments, while urging voters to verify information before accepting it as factual.
