Stop playing politics with Benue insecurity – Ortom to Alia

The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Hyacinth Alia, of playing politics with insecurity in the state.

Ortom was reacting to a viral video from a church program at NKST Church Ikpayongo, where Alia told the congregation that since he assumed office, armed herders have stopped attacking and killing people in the state. This claim comes despite recent robbery killings in the state capital.

In response, Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), demanded that Alia apologize to the people of Benue State for his insensitivity in claiming that there are no more herders’ attacks, especially when many residents have been traumatized after burying their loved ones.

“We watched with utmost shock and sadness a video clip in which the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, addressed a congregation at NKST Church Ikpayongo in Gwer East Local Government Area yesterday, claiming that since he assumed office, armed herders have stopped attacking and killing people in the state. The Governor also leveled several lies against his predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, accusing him of feigning the 2021 assassination attempt on his life. Governor Alia stated that unlike during the previous administration, when there were daily reports of mass killings by herdsmen, his tenure has witnessed absolute peace across the state, as attacks have ended, and the people now go about their normal activities.

“While we may not bother with the theatrics of the Governor and his inclination towards obfuscation, we find it rather sad and unfortunate that he made such claims before a church congregation in Gwer East, one of the local government areas that has suffered some of the worst herdsmen attacks under his watch, with many people killed, others injured, and property worth billions destroyed. The people of Gwer who were in that church must have felt grossly dismayed on hearing such words coming from a man who is their Governor.

“There have been countless mass burials during Alia’s administration in many parts of the state due to attacks by herdsmen in Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C, particularly in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Otukpo, among others. This government merely attempts to conceal the truth about these killings and mass burials.”

Ortom contrasted his administration with Alia’s, stating:
“The difference between the immediate past Governor, Chief Ortom, and Governor Alia is that while the former stood against injustice and strongly fought the agenda of pastoralists seeking to occupy Benue lands, his successor does not want the world to know that Benue people are still under attack, and wanton killings have been taking place at an even higher level during his time.

“Despite threats to his life, intimidation, and outright deprivation by the then Federal Government, Governor Ortom remained unmoved. His dogged stance eventually paid off as many Nigerians began to understand his advocacy against open grazing and the introduction of ranches. His government went on to enact a law banning open grazing in Benue State, much to the chagrin of the expansionists.”

Ortom also criticized Alia for blaming Benue people and accusing them of being aggressors and cattle rustlers:
“Governor Ortom had no need to lie on television, claiming his people were living in peace when they were the targets of unprovoked attacks. He had no need to suppress media reports of heinous crimes committed against his people by armed herders just to appear friendly to those displacing his people to take over their lands.

“Chief Ortom made it clear that he was elected to stand for the living, not the dead, and he confronted oppression head-on. He refused to submit to injustice and insisted that his people deserved dignity, equity, justice, and fairness as citizens of Nigeria. Governor Ortom chose to defend his people instead of defending marauding killers.”

Ortom emphasized that every pronouncement he made regarding herders’ attacks in Benue State was verified and documented.
“Fulani socio-cultural groups confirmed every report of attack on Benue people during Ortom’s time in office. They assumed full responsibility and did not deny the attacks. They also took responsibility for the assassination attempt on Governor Ortom in March 2021, which was confirmed by security agencies.”

The statement concluded by urging Governor Alia to apologize for his insensitivity:
“Governor Alia should apologize to the people of Benue State for his insensitivity in claiming there are no more herders’ attacks in the state, especially when many have been traumatized after burying their loved ones.

“The Governor has chosen to repeat lies against Chief Ortom, just as they lied against him during the campaigns for the 2023 elections. The former Governor is often left with no option but to respond and correct the damaging impression created by these blatant falsehoods.

“We once again advise Governor Alia to calm down and focus on fulfilling his promises to the people of Benue. Being a State Governor is a transitory position. Tomorrow, he will also become a former Governor. Ortom played his part and left the stage nearly two years ago. Governor Alia is now in the saddle, so he should take advantage of what he thinks his predecessor did not do and provide such services for the people.”