Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has accused incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia of governing the state through lies, deceit and hypocrisy, while systematically undermining the rule of law and excluding key stakeholders.
Ortom made the remarks in an interview on Arise News as he assessed Benue’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said the Alia administration, now in its third year, has abandoned democratic norms. “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,” Ortom stated.
The former governor cited the seizure of 23 official vehicles allocated to him and members of his previous administration. He said the vehicles were legitimately approved by the State Executive Council as used assets after more than four years of service, yet the current government confiscated them without prior notice.
Ortom took the matter to court and won. The court ordered the return of the vehicles and awarded him ₦5 million in damages. “As I talk to you those vehicles have not been given to me. He hasn’t even appealed,” he said, describing the non-compliance as clear evidence of disregard for judicial decisions.
He further alleged that the governor instructed traditional rulers not to receive him during a recent visit to his kinsmen to discuss his wife’s senatorial ambition. “The governor directed that no chief should receive me, and I shouldn’t speak to any of them,” Ortom claimed.
Ortom also accused the administration of refusing to hold stakeholders’ meetings across party lines since taking office.
He said local government autonomy exists only on paper in Benue, with council chairmen unable to execute independent projects or render proper accounts.Contrasting Alia’s pre-election image as a healing priest with his record in office, Ortom said: “No single person can say that I was healed by Alia’s ministry.” He added that Benue people “were deceived” and are now realising the gap between campaign promises and reality.
On security, Ortom recalled that President Bola Tinubu, during a visit after the Yelewata massacre, directed the governor to convene a meeting of former governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
That meeting has never been held. “Our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” Ortom stated. “He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent person, so it is what he wants that he does.”
He disclosed that he met Alia before the latter’s inauguration, handed over notes and offered continued support, but has been unable to reach the governor since. “Since that meeting till today, the man hasn’t picked my call,” Ortom said.
The former governor linked growing political opposition to public disillusionment, noting that figures such as PDP governorship aspirant Michael Auduaka are gaining traction because residents have “decided to move from what they were doing in 2023 to a different thing.”
Ortom maintained that the state is not benefiting from increased federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal. He said development remains concentrated in Makurdi while the 23 local government areas show little visible impact.
Despite his sharp criticism of the state government, Ortom declared support for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. He said he remains aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and that he and his supporters in Benue are working for the President.
At the state level, Ortom said he would back preferred candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly, without naming them in the interview.
He insisted that democracy requires accountability and inclusiveness. “Democracy is about the people. So where you don’t allow the people to see you and talk to you… nothing is happening,” Ortom concluded.
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