Ortom accuses Alia of running Benue on lies

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of being built on what he described as lies, deceit and hypocrisy.

Ortom also alleged that the administration has repeatedly disregarded the rule of law, excluded critical stakeholders from governance and targeted perceived political opponents.

The former governor made the allegations during an interview on Arise News while speaking on the political situation in Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Ortom, the Alia administration has failed to uphold democratic principles since coming into office.

“What we are witnessing in the last three years and some months is that here is a government that doesn’t believe in the rule of law, but believes in witch-hunting, believes in running opponents down,” he said.

Ortom cited the seizure of 23 vehicles allocated to him and some officials of his administration after leaving office.

He maintained that the vehicles were used assets legitimately approved by the State Executive Council after being in service for more than four years.

The former governor claimed the Alia administration subsequently seized the vehicles without prior notification, prompting him to approach the court.

According to him, the court ruled in his favour, ordered the return of the vehicles and awarded N5 million in damages.

“As I talk to you, those vehicles have not been given to me. He hasn’t even appealed,” Ortom said.

He described the alleged failure to comply with the judgement as evidence of the administration’s disregard for judicial decisions.

Ortom also accused Alia of attempting to isolate him politically, alleging that traditional rulers were instructed not to receive him during a recent visit to his kinsmen.

“The governor directed that no chief should receive me, and I shouldn’t speak to any of them,” he alleged.

The former governor said the visit was connected to consultations over his wife’s senatorial ambition.

He further accused Alia of failing to convene broad stakeholders’ meetings involving political leaders and other prominent Benue citizens since assuming office.

Ortom also questioned the implementation of local government autonomy in the state, alleging that council chairmen lacked the freedom to independently execute projects and account for their administrations.

He recalled Alia’s reputation as a Catholic priest known for his healing ministry before venturing into politics, claiming that residents were deceived by expectations created around his candidature.

“No single person can say that I was healed by Alia’s ministry,” Ortom said.

According to him, many Benue residents are beginning to realise what he described as a wide gap between the expectations of the Alia administration and its performance in office.

On insecurity, Ortom recalled President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue following the Yelwata massacre.

He said the President directed Alia to convene a meeting involving former governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to discuss lasting solutions to the security challenges confronting the state.

Ortom alleged that the meeting had yet to take place.

“Our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” he said.

“He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent person, so it is what he wants that he does.”

Ortom further disclosed that he met Alia before his inauguration in 2023, handed over relevant notes and offered to support the incoming administration.

He, however, claimed communication between them subsequently broke down.

“Since that meeting till today, the man hasn’t picked my call,” he said.

The former governor attributed the growing political opposition to Alia’s administration to what he described as increasing public dissatisfaction.

He said politicians challenging the governor ahead of 2027 were gaining support because some residents had decided to change their political choices from those made during the 2023 elections.

Ortom also questioned how the Alia administration has utilised increased federal allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy.

He alleged that much of the visible development was concentrated in Makurdi, the state capital, while communities across the 23 local government areas had little to show for the increased revenue.

Despite his criticism of Alia, Ortom reiterated his support for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

The former governor said he remained politically aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, adding that he and his supporters in Benue would work for Tinubu’s second-term bid.

At the state level, Ortom said he would support his preferred candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and the Benue State House of Assembly, although he did not name them during the interview.

He maintained that political leaders must remain accessible and accountable to the people.

“Democracy is about the people. So where you don’t allow the people to see you and talk to you… nothing is happening,” Ortom said.