Gov Alia denied me house, annual medical checks – Ortom

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Hyacinth Alia, of withdrawing the benefits due to him as a former governor, including the provision of a house and annual medical examinations.

Ortom made the allegation during an interview with Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where he spoke about the welfare packages and other entitlements provided for former governors under state law.

The former governor claimed that the Alia administration had denied him the benefits approved by the Benue State House of Assembly, insisting that the law made provisions for such entitlements after leaving office.

He disclosed that his monthly salary as governor was below N600,000, adding that the amount was not different from what other state governors received.

“He cancelled it. There is no financial entitlement,” Ortom said.

“When he came, nothing. The law that was enacted by the house of assembly, you take your salary. The salary of a governor, I think, is little.

“My salary cannot be different from any other governor. The salary of a governor is less than 600,000 a month.”

Ortom further claimed that his entitlements included the provision of a residential property in Abuja or any other location of his choice within the country.

He said he had continued to live in his residence at Games Village in Abuja, where he had stayed since 2008, when he served as the national auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Well, I was supposed to be provided with a house. You have seen me here in my Games Village house.

Which ex-governor is living in Games Village? The whole of this country, in Abuja here, which governor is living in Games Village?” he said.

“You have seen me here. I’ve been here since 2008, when I was national auditor of PDP. How many people have remained here? Many people have come here to challenge me.”

The former governor maintained that the arrangement under the law entitled him to a house in Abuja or another location he might choose.

He also alleged that the benefits included an annual medical examination at a health facility of his choice, either within Nigeria or outside the country, with the expenses to be paid by the state government.

“I’m telling you what was obtainable,” he said.

“I was supposed to have a free medical check every year, in any place of my choice. Whether in Nigeria or outside the country. Paid by the state government.”

Ortom governed Benue State from 2015 to 2023 under the PDP before handing over to Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who succeeded him in May 2023.