Samuel Ortom, former governor of Benue, has accused Hyacinth
Alia, his successor, of running the state on “lies, deceit and hypocrisy”.
Ortom spoke on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise
Television’s Morning Show, alleging that Alia has failed to effectively
transform the state despite increased federal allocations following the removal
of the petrol subsidy.
Alia, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, took
over from Ortom on May 29, 2023, after defeating Titus Uba, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) candidate backed by Ortom.
Although Ortom congratulated Alia on his election and later
on his victory at the supreme court, the former governor has since criticised
his successor’s performance, particularly over the security challenges in the
state.
Ortom said Benue residents had become aware of what he
described as the shortcomings of the current administration and were prepared
to make a different political choice in 2027.
“Our people were deceived, and since then, most of them are
aware and have decided to move from what they were doing in 2023 to a different
thing,” the former governor said.
“But I tell you the truth, in terms of performance, come
here and see things for yourself.
“With the huge resources, courtesy of the removal of full
subsidy, come and see what is happening. Even the little things we can see in
Benue state here, in Makurdi, the capital city, the 22 local governments are
left without any impact.”
Ortom alleged that the state’s local governments were not
being allowed to function effectively or execute projects independently.
“The local governments that should be autonomous and should
be funding their projects are not doing any projects except the government does
it. You don’t operate like this,” he said.
‘HE SEIZED 23 VEHICLES LEGITIMATELY GIVEN TO ME’
Ortom also accused Alia of “witch-hunting political
opponents”, alleging that the Benue governor seized 23 vehicles that had been
legitimately allocated to him by the state government.
“As I talk to you, after I left office, vehicles that were
given to me legitimately by the government, this government went and seized
them in a manner that was not befitting. No communication to me was done,” he
said.
“I went to court, and we defeated the government, and they
were asked to pay me N5 million in addition to returning the 23 vehicles they
took away from me, which were legitimately given to me by government.”
The former governor said the development was evidence of
what he described as the administration’s disregard for the rule of law.
“What we are witnessing in the last three years, and some
months, is that here is a government that does not believe in the rule of law
but believes in witch-hunting and running opponents down,” Ortom said.
He further criticised Alia’s approach to accountability,
recalling the governor’s pledge to run his administration like a church or
parish.
“When Reverend Father Alia came on board as governor, he
said he was going to run government as a church, as a parish,” Ortom said.
“Nobody asked a reverend father to account for what comes in
as offerings or tithes or whatever. You dare not ask them what is coming in.
“And that is what is happening in the new state. The
governor is not accountable to anyone.”
Ortom said the federal government had made adequate funds
available to states and argued that the resources should translate into
development across different sectors.
“But they are not doing it. And so, people should hold their
government accountable,” he said.
“They have refused no stakeholders’ meeting. Nothing
happens, and no question is asked. When you ask, they will go after you.”
Ortom said George Akume, secretary to the federal government
(SGF) and a former governor of Benue, had attempted to intervene in the
situation, but Alia has not been accessible.
“Even those who are working with him cannot access him; talk
less of us who are outside to offer advice,” Ortom said.
He also accused the governor of failing to heed the advice
given to him by President Bola Tinubu during his visit to the state following
the Yelewata massacre.
He said Tinubu had asked the governor to summon a meeting
with all former governors and traditional rulers in the state to find a lasting
solution to the security problems of the state.
“The president said ‘put heads together. Come and see me in
Abuja, and let’s find a lasting solution to this problem’. But as I talk to you
today, our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” Ortom claimed.
He said Alia’s alleged unwillingness to listen to others was
inconsistent with the principles of democracy.
“He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent
person. So, it is what he wants that he does,” Ortom said.
On the 2027 elections, Ortom said he believed voters had
become aware of what he described as the shortcomings of Alia’s administration.
“This is the dilemma that we are in. And I want to assure
you, 2027, this man, people have now known him, that he’s running the state
based on lies, deceit and hypocrisy,” he said.
“That is what is happening in Benue today.”
‘ALIA’S WORKS ARE VISIBLE, SPEAKING FOR HIM’
However, Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary (CPS) to Alia,
rejected Ortom’s allegations, saying his principal’s performance in office
contradicts the former governor’s claims.
“It appears Ortom is back to the motor park and has
forgotten the definition of ‘lies and ‘hypocrisy’.” Kula told TheCable when
contacted for comments on Ortom’s allegations.
“Alia is not a hypocrite and does not tell lies. His works are visible and speaking for him. He is steadily delivering on his covenant with the Benue people.”
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